Virginia Beach, Va. - One Virginia Beach man wants to bring a high end fitness park to the beach.
Luke Hillier presented his plan to the Virginia Beach City Council on Tuesday afternoon.
"We are proposing to donate a fitness park," Hillier said.
Hillier wants to donate a high-end fitness park and put it at 40th Street, near the boardwalk in Virginia Beach.
He said it would be similar to the original Muscle Beach in Santa Monica, California, where people do gymnastics and strength activity, not like the spot in Venice Beach where people do a lot of weightlifting and bodybuilding.
Local resident Victor Wertheimer supports the idea. He said, "I think it would be a great asset to the boardwalk and to the people in the community."
Tourist Chester Stinnett said he thought it would draw more tourists like himself. He said, "I think it would be good."
"It's a great way to promote personal fitness and promote wellness across the beach," supporter Nick Lakey said.
One woman who lives next to where it would be built doesn't like the idea of this type of park in front of her property.
She said, "I'm not opposed to the project and I don't think any of the homeowners are, but I definitely would like it moved somewhere else on the beach."
Hillier said it would be about 50 yards long and have about 15 pieces of fitness equipment, built directly on the beach.
He says he's willing to pay roughly $150,000 out of his own pocket to make this fitness park a reality.
"I grew up in the city of Virginia Beach. I am a product of the public school system. I raised a family here, I grew my business here and this is a way for me to get back to the residents," said Hillier.
The City Council will vote on the plan November 17.
