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By Elisabeth Altamirano-Smith | Community Columnist

The former Daddy’s Kitchen Restaurant in Thorsby, located at 876 Dakota Road, is being revamped and reconstructed to be a new fitness gym. B U Fitness Gym will be a 24-hour gym and is set to open May 4. Owners and Chilton County residents Charlie and Casey Dorminey hope to add many new features and amenities to the gym that local residents may benefit from.

“Going to the gym is the biggest thing we enjoy doing together,” said Charlie. “It gives us great peace and makes us feel good. The gyms that we have been to (in the past) — there are features that we really enjoyed and some things that were slightly missing. Our goal is to create an ideal gym based on those experiences.”

The gym name, “B U” comes from the gym motto: “Be Yourself and Let Us Help Better Yourself,” with a word play on “you”.

Amenities will feature childcare, commercialized equipment including cardio, stair-steppers, “booty builders” equipment and a separate heavy-weight and lifting area. An outdoor crossfit section and outdoor playground for children will be available. Pool Warehouse will also provide tanning and sauna services to the gym. For members interested in training in heavy weights and bodybuilding, Jonathan Qualls will be available for support as a fitness trainer.

There are a variety of membership packages including singles, couples and families. Children under the age of 12 are included with any membership package. Childcare will be available Monday-Friday from 7:30-10:30 a.m. and 4:00-7:00 p.m., but the Dormineys are open to the idea of adding childcare services on Saturdays if they see a large request from the community.

“We remember what it is like the first time you walk inside of a new gym,” said Charlie. “Please come to the open house or during our office hours and we will be more than happy to show you around, give you a tour and give you an idea of what equipment to start on.”

The open house will be May 4 from 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. with vendors available.

B U Fitness Gym office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., but the gym may be accessed at any time by members by using the membership app on their phone. Children being checked in and out of childcare may also be registered through the membership app by their parent.