Fitness center plans receive extension

This is the corrected version of the original story.

Visions of a bigger and better River Valley Family Fitness are still in the works, but finishing the plans is taking longer than expected.

The Yuba City Planning Commission approved a request Wednesday for an extension of a previously approved development plan for the property at Tharp and Butte House roads. The applicants told the commission they anticipate plans for the 74,000-square-foot health club and 4,500-square-foot office building to be finished in early 2010 and construction to start in late spring.

Those planning the new center also own the Yuba City Racquet & Health Club on Jones Road.

The new club would be built on the south side of a vacant lot immediately west of the Feather Down shopping center.

In 2008, club partner Peter Bakis said the facility planned to include a children's area with a splash park, cyber room, basketball court, gymnastics area and classrooms. The adult area would include two racquetball courts, a basketball court, rehabilitation and physical therapy areas and four group exercise rooms.

The two-story building is planned to be 21⁄2 times larger than the Yuba City club with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a rock climbing wall, women-only area, two large adult locker rooms and a family locker room for use by adults with children. Free weights, weight machines and cardio equipment are included in the plans.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Ashley Gebb at 749-4724 or agebb@appealdemocrat.com.