The Southern Cross Club has officially applied to have its $12 million health and wellness centre approved for the site of Woden's old pitch and putt golf course.
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A development application has been lodged with the Land and Planning Authority for the proposed five-storey building, which would be built near the corner of Yamba Drive and Launceston Street in Phillip.
If approved, the building would house a 90-space childcare centre, with the remainder taken up by an area described in the application as an "integrated health and wellbeing centre comprising an indoor recreation centre, health facility and community activity centre".
That would include the Southern Cross Health Club, an allied health centre and a space for community activities.
The health club is one of the main reasons for the building's construction, with the lease on its existing premises on nearby Irving Street due to expire in late 2017.
The gym would include a pool on the ground floor, near the childcare centre with space for up to 90 children, while the rest of the facilities would be on the second floor.
A fitness studio for yoga and spin classes would be located on the second floor, while the third floor will be subdivided into spaces for various allied health professionals.
The fourth floor would be dedicated to the community activity centre, though the application's statement against criteria noted it would probably "be occupied by a single association, rather than being available for short term hire to a number of community associations".
The application estimates the total cost of works on the site, including landscaping and other factors, would reach just over $12.8 million.
An access road would be built between the building and Canberra College, while a bridge would be constructed over Yarralumla Creek.
The construction would result in the loss of about 40 parking spaces at Canberra College, though the report indicated the shortfall would be rectified by the construction of additional parking to service the school.
The former pitch and putt course that took up the site closed in February 2013, with dwindling membership and a $350,000 loss blamed for the closure.
No plans have been made for the remaining two-thirds of the course not taken up by the proposed building and adjoining car park.
Since its closure, Woden Valley Community Council has expressed concern about the lack of recreational facilities in the area.
The application is available for viewing and public comment on the Planning and Environment Directorate website.
Submissions will be accepted until Wednesday, August 10.
