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Underground Gym reopens to youth after year-long closure

The Underground Gym has been deemed and essential service and has welcomed youth back inside after being out of operation for more than a year.

THUNDER BAY - Kevin Kitakaigick, 19, has been waiting more than a year to get back into the Underground Gym, and now that it has been deemed an essential service, he and other youth are thrilled to be back.

“It feels good to be back,” he said. “Everything that Peter does. The energy, there’s positive vibes all the time. He’s getting newer students coming. It’s really good having that.”

The Underground Gym began allowing youth back inside Friday morning after being deemed an essential service by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and the new building on Victoria Avenue getting the okay from the city.

“I’m the happiest guy in the world right now,” said Peter Panetta, founder of the Underground Gym. “It’s been too long and COVID doesn’t help. Everyone is frustrated. At least we are given an opportunity to accommodate as many kids as we can with limitations.”

In 2019, the gym was forced to close its Simpson Street location following structural damage from a nearby fire. After the new location was found last October, COVID-19 lockdowns and gaining the appropriate permits from the city kept the doors closed to youth.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit deemed the Underground Gym as an essential service a month ago but a change of use permit from the city was still required before it could reopen its doors to youth.

“The reason I was able to get essential services status is because I’m giving the kids a safe place to be, they are getting fed, and they are getting counseling as well,” Panetta said.

COVID-19 precautions are in place, including wearing masks or physical distancing, hand sanitizing, and limitations on the number of youth allowed inside. The actual gym itself, including workout equipment, remains off limits.

“That was one of the limitations is that I’m not allowed to open the gym,” Panetta said. “The actual gym they are not allowed to use the gym and they are not using the gym.”

Youth can access other programs, like music and counseling and working out in the large open space on the main floor.

Panetta said it has been a difficult time since the gym was forced to close, as many youth in the community have come to depend on it.

“From my perspective, I couldn’t be happier that the kids have a place to come to,” he said. “It’s been over a year now. That’s too long. We lost some lives in between. It’s way, way too long. With this facility open, it will save lives. I know that for a fact.”

And there are already new youth coming in to check out the programs, along with others who have depended on it for years.

For 15-year-old Alisha Kowtiash, who has been coming for the last five years, the Underground Gym has always been a safe and welcoming place for youth.

“It’s really nice to see people. Sometimes it’s anxious, but it’s really good,” she said. “This is a safe environment. Everything around here is good. I feel like people my age are able to meet new people and you can talk here. It’s a really good environment.”

Kitakaigick has been coming to the gym since he was seven-years-old and at the age of 16 he already received his first level boxing coaching license to help train other youth in the city.  

“I thought it was fun and thought I would sign up and do something with my life. It’s getting fit, eating healthy,” he said. “It’s good to have a new gym and newer people coming. All around it’s just great having it back.”


Doug Diaczuk

About the Author: Doug Diaczuk

Doug Diaczuk is a reporter and award-winning author from Thunder Bay. He has a master’s degree in English from Lakehead University
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