THUNDER BAY – The operator of the Underground Gym is making an appeal to the city to donate a Leith Street property to keep the facility alive.
Peter Panetta, who late last year announced he was going to have to close the Simpson Street location he'd operated out of for more than a decade-and-a-half because of a broken water pipe that flooded the dilapidated building's basement, plans to ask city council to consider donating a property at 201 Leith Street.
“It is the right location because it is in the same area where we have established a following for many years. Now we have second-generation children of the kids that we took care of for many years,” Panetta said in Facebook post.
“It is also spacious enought to accommodate all of our programs. It is the perfect location.”
Panetta said he's hopeful the city can help out the grassroots organization, adding the money they do have is needed to provide the programming, which includes providing food to youth who might otherwise go without, boxing and music.
“No need to tell you you the money that the city will be saving by having these vulnerable youth involved in positive activities. It is a proven fact it works,” Panetta said.
Panetta said since a fire ravaged two adjacent buildings in late 2019, including the Hells Angels clubhouse, he's been picking up Underground Gym youth in the organization's bus and taking them on outings, but it's left the teenagers who used the facility out in the cold.
McKellar Coun. Brian Hamilton, responding to comments made on NetNewsLedger.com's Facebook page, said he is aware of the Underground Gym's need.
“Haven't seen the final proposal. Council has been working with Peter behind the scenes to get this on the table,” Hamilton said.
