Holy Martyrs Church in Tarentum could once again draw crowds of people, albeit not for prayer.
The 51-year-old building at 344 W. Ninth Ave. is up for sale, with the potential owner hoping to replace pews and altars with treadmills and a basketball court.
The site is being sought by the Legends of Pittsburgh fitness center, which is co-owned by Kiski Area graduate and former Pittsburgh Riverhounds professional soccer player Stefan Lundberg.
The sale price of the church and terms of the deal are unclear.
“We are still in the stages of finalizing the deal and have a few things up in the air,” Lundberg said.
“It would be more appropriate for us to comment once that is done and we know for sure we are moving.”
The 24-hour gym is currently inside the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer.
Plans for the West Tarentum move include construction of an indoor soccer facility.
“He is going to put quite a bit of money into the building,” said Anthony Bruni, the borough’s code enforcement officer.
“They want to level the floor of the sanctuary and build a mezzanine with exercise bikes. The lighting will also be updated.”
Holy Martyrs was among five churches in Guardian Angels Parish shuttered last year by the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Tom Babinsack, Guardian Angels administrator, said the parish declined to comment until the public hearing and sale are complete.
According to the Allegheny County Real Estate website, the total market value of the building and 2.7-acre parcel is about $860,000. It is assessed at about $106,000 for taxation purposes.
The project was recommended by the borough’s planning commission.
Bruni said the fitness center is allowable under the borough’s R-2 (residential) zoning. He said council can place stipulations on noise, lighting, parking and other issues.
There will be a conditional use public hearing at 5 p.m. Friday during which people can ask questions or voice concerns.
“I love the idea, but we already have a parking issue on our streets,” Councilman Brian Snyder said. “Will lighting bother residents? It’s kind of dark there, and I don’t want it blaring into people’s windows.”
Bruni said council should pay careful attention to the conditions they want to place on the sale, because if there are lighting or noise issues, the borough would be able to enforce them.
He also said the borough would benefit from the sale because the church would go back on the tax rolls.
The new owner would maintain the property, something Bruni considered a perk.
“The diocese has done their best, but they use a contractor and it isn’t always kept up,” Bruni said. “And, we won’t have a vacant building anymore.”
Councilman Ray Kerr said it’s likely there would only be parking overflow for soccer events. On regular training or practice days, cars would be in and out, he said.
Mayor Bob Lang said there are 80 parking spaces available already, plus an additional grassy area on the Grantham Street side of the building.
“I don’t think it will be lit up like Highlands Stadium if it’s an indoor facility,” Lang said.
