River restaurants to get healthy new neighbour

The East Bank restaurant precinct. Photo: Megan Dunn
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The Nepean River restaurant precinct will soon house another tenant, but the business set to occupy the space may come as a surprise.

In a move away from food and beverage offerings, Atmosphere Health and Fitness has been given the green light to convert the upper levels of East Bank into a premium gymnasium facility.

Penrith City Council recently approved the change of use to an indoor recreational facility for the T10 and T11 tenancies, which were originally approved to host a restaurant and bar.

According to the nominated architect, the development intends to diversify the existing cafe and restaurant precinct by providing an opportunity for health-based activities.

“The proposed development is expected to provide an added service to the community, in turn attracting additional people to the precinct and contributing to Council’s strategy of creating opportunity for activity in and around the Nepean River,” it states.

The recent approval signals a second location for the fitness club, which has an existing large gymnasium with pool facilities next to the Nepean Aquatic Centre in Penrith.

According to documents attached to the successful development application (DA), the new Tench Avenue site is estimated to cost $600,000 to fit out and will be separated into a northern and southern wing.

Four training studios will be accommodated in the northern wing, while the southern wing will house a reception and seating area, change rooms, yoga studio and infrared sauna.

The fitness centre, which is proposed to operate from 5am to 10pm weekdays and until 6pm on weekends, must comply with strict noise control recommendations and have no more than 50 persons training at the gym at any one time, documents show.

Once complete, the gymnasium will fill the last vacant premises at the riverside precinct and will join a number of restaurants and cafes, with only Masala Kitchen and Lone Star Rib House still yet to occupy their shop fronts.

A Lone Star spokeswoman told the Weekender on Monday its opening was imminent and expected before Christmas.

It is understood Masala Kitchen is also hopeful of opening before the Christmas holidays.


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