*Planet Entertainment in Ennis.
A €2M investment is to be carried out as part of the redevelopment of the Planet Health Club in Ennis.
Planning permission subject to a number of conditions was granted to Galway Bowl and Leisure Limited in August 2023 with the company now confirming they are aiming to open the new facility in the first quarter of next year.
As part of its new 20,000sq ft gym facility, there will be a suite of Padel courts, an air dome featuring a gym, an indoor astro-turf, spin rooms, fitness classes, separate saunas for men and women, all of which will be located on the existing grounds of the Clare Leisure World on the Showgrounds in Ennis.
Padel courts will be located where the astro-turf is presently situated. Construction work is expected to commence in the coming weeks, The Clare Echo understands.
PV panels will reduce the carbon footprint of the project, the planning application noted. “The proposed development is a sustainability-focused project that aims to promote sustainable solutions by integrating photovoltaic (PV) panels on-site. This approach not only helps minimise the project’s carbon footprint but also ensures a reliable and cost-effective energy supply for the dome’s operations”.
Ten conditions were attached to the granting of planning permission. They included a development contribution fee of €33,696.00 to be paid to the Council and that opening hours shall be from 06:00 to 22:00 Monday to Friday and 08:00 to 20:00 on weekends and Bank Holidays. Planning fees of €6,819.20 were already paid by the developer to the Council in June 2023.
Uisce Éireann in a submission noted that a connection is already available supplying the existing facility and that they had no issue with an increase in capacity as envisaged by the new development.
No objections were raised by the Clare County Council Fire Authority in a submission by Chief Fire Officer, Adrian Kelly. Similarly, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) flagged no issues in their submission.
Planet’s existing facility has been in operation since 2003 as a family recreation centre. The Planet Group confirmed to The Clare Echo that a €2m investment will be made in what they said will be “a state-of-the-art Planet Health Club”.
Planet Health Club Ennis will be the sixth location for the Planet Group, which also operates successful clubs in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford.
Eamonn Shinners of Planet in Ennis said, “This facility is designed to offer something for everyone, from seasoned fitness enthusiasts to those just beginning their fitness journey. With the addition of Padel courts, we’re not just building a gym; we’re creating a dynamic community space that redefines what a health club can be”.
