Delay in getting construction permit stymies fitness centre expansion

The owner of three fitness centres in the Halifax Regional Municipality says her plans for a fourth location arebeing swallowed up in red tape.

Connie McInnes operates Rstudios and is now leasing a property on Kempt Road in Halifax and has plans to turn it into a spin studio. But getting a permit to move forward with her expansion is proving to be difficult.

"We've been on a halt for the last two months waiting on our construction permit," said McInnes.

Certain aspects of the renovation have been done, but work on plumbing, electrical and ventilation systems is on pause and McInnes doesn't know when she'll be getting the permit from the municipality to allow her to move forward.

"We've got a business that is ready to rock and I've got employees that are ready to rock," said McInnes. "But I don't exactly have a space that's ready to rock."

McInnes has more than 20 employees on standby, some whom are onfederal government benefits for people out of work due to COVID-19. Theywant to get to work as soon as possible.

She's also purchased new spin bikes and flooring for her new spin studio but they are currently being stored in the back of the building. McInnes isdesperate to get her permit.

"Until we have that approval it's impossible for us to move forward and actually get our doors open."

McInnes saidit's also been very frustrating getting information from the municipality. She saidcommunication has been poor and she doesn't know if she'll get her permit in four days or four months.

HRM is currently in a housing and development boom, with large and small construction projects intertwined throughout the municipality.

Earlier this month, Jacques Dub, Halifax's chief administrative officer, stated he wants to use the hot housing market to pay for 15 new HRM employees.

A final vote on the proposal will take place on April 21, when regional council deals with a long list of budget extras, including a dozen extra employees for the planning department to reduce wait times for development permits.

"I think for those of us who are taking a risk and trying to move forward and keep our heads up, we are just feeling really discouraged," said McInnes.

HRM spokesperson Klara Needler stated in an email that several reviews are now complete in the McInnes application. She went on to say it is progressing as expected, given the high volume of applications typically received this time of year.