Neighbours frustrated with construction impacts of Beaches Athletic Club build on Queen Street East
By MATTHEW STEPHENS
When the Creswell Dance Academy on Queen Street East in the Beach closed its doors towards the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, residents were left wondering what would take the beloved studio’s place.
Not long after, locals caught word of the Beaches Athletic Club: a new fitness centre coming soon to the vacant property at 2215 Queen St. E., complete with plans for an “expansive sauna,” cold plunge therapy, and a rooftop fitness studio.
However, after three years of work to build the facility, resident’s optimism for the project has dwindled as they continue waiting for construction to end.
In an email to Beach Metro Community News, a concerned resident who lives near the project said there have been numerous issues over the years regarding the work being done, how it is being done and its impact on neighbours.
The resident said the work being carried out by Penalta Group has been “damaging” the easements of several properties connected to the Sandycove laneway, which is also shared by the fitness club. The laneway, just south of Queen Street East between Leuty Avenue and Wineva Avenue, is behind the fitness building and other buildings on Queen Street East( including a three-storey building with stores at street level and residential apartments above) and north of homes that front on Wineva and Leuty.
Penalta Group is the company hired by the developer as a construction manager to execute the build.
The resident said construction work has blocked “in and out access” to the laneway. A Beach Metro Community News reporter visited the houses beside Sandycove way and saw a construction dumpster blocking the laneway near the back of the fitness centre.
Robert Ogden, president of Penalta Group, acknowledged the project’s long history since construction began, but clarified to residents that Penalta “was not the first constructor on the project.”
“There is also a lot of history to this project,” said Ogden in an email to Beach Metro Community News. “It is true that we have had a change of superintendents on the project, but these changes at times are unavoidable in this industry and not uncommon due to the project duration.”
He said the project has been “extremely challenging” due to the age and existing condition of the building, which has forced construction crews to re-engineer walls and footings, and implement extensive structural remediations. The building’s history goes back to The Coliseum movie house more than 115 years ago. The site was also home to Beach Hardware for many years, and then Cresswell.
With much of the work being carried out near residential properties, Ogden said construction crews are facing more challenges compared to other builds.
“The site constraints and proximity to neighbouring properties made the construction even more challenging, given the importance of the safety and well being of residents, public and the surrounding buildings,” said Ogden.
In his email, he denied using and damaging the Leuty Avenue easements and said “all necessary permits” were obtained to carry out the construction work.
With the project now in its “later stages,” Ogden said the Beaches Athletic Club is “working towards a January 2027 completion.”
“With the structure complete, roofing, and exterior siding works ongoing and interior fit out works well underway,” said Ogden. “We are excited to deliver this amazing facility to the Beaches community for a New Year opening.”
He also offered an apology to frustrated residents who have spent the last three years waiting for the project’s completion.
“We do understand that constructions in such constrained sites can, at times, be frustrating for the residents and have done our outmost to minimize impact and keep the closure times to the absolute minimum, while continuing to inform and update the local resident and businesses regularly and well ahead of these closures,” said Ogden.
For more information about the Beaches Athletic Club, visit their website at https://www.beachesathletic.com/.
