Silverback Gym plans Tain base extension in Easter Ross town
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A GYM and fitness centre is wanting to extend its Tain base after opening a second centre over the firth in Dornoch.
Silverback Gym and Fitness Ltd have premises at Unit 4 on Blarliath Industrial Estate but the company through applicant Jim Gagan is seeking planning permission from Highland Council to erect a connected extension building and a covered external exercise area.
If successful, this would be on a strip of land between the gym and the railway line, and would involve the removal of three or four trees. The application is under consideration currently.
In a supporting statement the company explains that after opening Silverback Gym Dornoch in May 2021 about 25 per cent of membership moved to the new facility in Dornoch as the location was more convenient.
The statement adds: "This led us to thinking how we could improve our service, not only for our local membership community but also to our visiting members – tourists, friends and family visits, travelling workers on short contracts etc. We are strong believers in strength in body and mind, as are most of our members, however some people are just too anxious to go onto the main gym floor."
For this reason they want to build a small studio where members could take one-to-one instruction in a safe and private area for "their more vulnerable and anxious members, to work on their issues, without fear of judgement".
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The new building could also be used for private class space which was lost during Covid.
"The proposed studio space and external gym are intended to enhance the service we provide for our existing membership and are not being created with a view to increasing membership numbers," added the statement.
"Given that a significant proportion of our membership are now not driving to Tain we believe that the proposed studio space and external gym will not increase the load on the existing ancillary facilities at the gym, and that the current parking provision (for 12 vehicles) will continue to be sufficient."
