MONROE, CT — Professional Ninja Warrior athlete Joe Moravsky will coach aspiring young ninjas to overcome obstacles, while training at Monroe Ninja Academy, a new indoor gym for all ages that will open at 17 Enterprise Drive.
Moravsky, who is coach and manager of the Stamford Ninja Academy with his business partner Thomas Alberti, will own the new Monroe gym under the franchise as his business, Moravsky Inc.
“We’re looking to bring it to Monroe. Keep it local. Keep it in town,” Moravsky told the Planning and Zoning Commission during a hearing last Thursday. “Stamford is a little bit of a ride, but our gym is thriving and it’s beautiful and kids love it.”
Moravsky said ninja is a rapidly growing sport that is foundational for kids.
“It’s a full body experience, where you’re working not just your upper body, your lower body and core, but your mind as well,” he said.
Moravsky said the sport is about overcoming fears and failure, adding, “there’s a lot of life lessons that are learned at the gym. It’s just great for the kids.”
Commission members unanimously approved a special permit application allowing the use and a permit amendment modification for shared parking with the existing tenants in the warehouse, which includes TriplePoint Labs and an arborist.
The permit amendment will allow the 121 required parking spaces to be reduced to 109.
“It’s a booming business that’s popular,” Commissioner Ryan Condon said during deliberations. “I think it’s going to be an awesome addition to the town. It’s probably gonna bring in a lot of people.”
Moravsky said he believes the closest ninja gyms are probably in Norwalk and Danbury.
The hours of operation will typically be Monday through Friday from 3 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with occasional Saturday birthday parties from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
“I think it’s a great addition to the community. It will fit in very well with Monroe,” Commissioner Robert Westlund said during the hearing.
Westlund asked if there will be any events at the gym or if it would only be a training facility.
Moravsky said there could be standalone events.
“In Stamford our gym has what we call a World Ninja League and we participate in that league,” he said, “and there are one off events every couple of months. Anywhere from six-year-olds to elite athletes come in and complete at certain times over the weekend.”
Moravsky said there are mainly weekend events or events held over a break. For example, a few days before Thanksgiving or over a winter break.
Westlund asked how many people would typically come to these events and Moravsky said it’s around 30 to 40 kids or adults, adding a lot of people travel together with their friends and fellow competitors.
Moravsky and his wife, Stephanie, a teacher at Fawn Hollow Elementary School, live in Monroe with their three children, Emily, Jacob and Dylan.
Moravsky, who was a freelance meteorologist for News 12 Connecticut, rose to fame as a star of the NBC TV show, “American Ninja Warrior,” where he is affectionately known to fans as the “The Weatherman.”
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