The Red Deer Boxing Club could move into a north-end industrial site after city council unanimously approved a rezoning on Monday.
At the property owner’s request, 4910-78 St. was rezoned to IC (industrial commercial mixed use district) from a former I1 (industrial/business service). This would allow it to accommodate the Red Deer Boxing Club and its programs for youth and adults.
Council was told that the rezoning would allow for a greater flexibility of uses on the site, which was deemed to be in a transitional area. The property provides a bridge between Gaetz Avenue commercial and a light industrial area.
The Red Deer Boxing Club had been seeking a larger location but has not yet finalized plans to move to this site.
Club owners have stated it’s been hard to expand programs because the club had outgrown its current facility in downtown Red Deer. Also, the present entry, off an alley, brought up safety concerns for parents who were dropping off their children there.
Coun. Lawrence Lee said on Monday that he could see no problem with the 78 St. site for a boxing club, noting that the former Gold’s Gym had been located nearby.
Mayor Tara Veer also accepted the rationale that the property is a transition zone.