AN AUSTRALIAN fitness fanatic and firefighter is planning on converting a former council depot into a new gym.

Dylan Calleja, originally from Melbourne, has applied to Scottish Borders Council for permission to convert an industrial building on Spylaw Road, Kelso, into a new premises for his business, Fitness Academy Kelso.

The building was originally used as a storage unit for council vehicles, but has previously been used as taxi depot and office.

In his submission to the council’s planning department, Mr Calleja said: “I am originally from Melbourne, Australia and my background is in exercise sports science, functionality, rehabilitation, and athlete performance.

“When I arrived to Kelso in the Scottish Borders with my Scottish wife and newborn baby daughter, I decided to pursue this plan.

When arriving I realised that not only was the community and location I lived in absolutely lovely but also that there was such an amount of people trying to pursue their personal fitness, weight loss and health goals, but were just so uncertain of how to and had a lack of guidance and most of all, facilities.

“This is where Fitness Academy Kelso was created. I wanted to create a space where everyday individuals, cultures, communities, teams, athletes, students etc. could all become a part of and be educated on the specific elements in which are suited to them.

“We run seminars on many different aspects of physical, mental and social health and offer a group training environment, bringing all different abilities together as one, to progress, achieve and succeed.

“One of the focuses we have at FAK is mentoring. I currently mentor the students at the Borders College in the sports coaching department, running sessions and lectures to them, as guidance, as a mentor and not any profit or charge at all.

“We find this has empowered many young students to progress on in the industry.”

The property is owned by Crop Services director Cameron Stephens, who is being represented by property consultants Edwin Thompson.

In their design statement, the Cumbria-based firm said: “Kelso has a population of approximately 5,700 and is classified as one of the larger border towns allowing it to be a principally administrative, social and retail centre serving up to 75,000 people in the area as a whole.

“This gives an understanding of the number of people in the area and that the proposed facility will be in demand.

“This is a suitable site for the position of a gym as it is located not adjacent to domestic dwellings and has suitable parking as well as being of the required size to house of the equipment needed to serve all gym member’s needs.”