Zoo Health Club plans to open new gym.

Zoo Health Club plans to open new gym.

EPPING — The Zoo Health Club is moving ahead with plans to open a new location in Epping as the company expands in New Hampshire.

The new 10,000-square-foot gym will be built next to a new Dollar Tree store that opened recently behind Cumberland Farms on Route 125. The Zoo is a national chain of 24-hour franchised health clubs with locations in Derry and Manchester.

The club, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., offers a wide range of cardio, strength and free weight equipment; personal training; and group fitness classes.

The Zoo has 50 locations nationwide and is now looking to open clubs overseas.Zoo Health Club

“We’re always looking to expand. (Epping) is an up-and-growing area,” said Judy Scott, director of franchise. She said she was not ready to disclose the name of the Epping store’s owner.

New Hampshire’s first Zoo opened in Manchester in 2013 followed by its second location in Derry in 2014. Julian Percorino, owner of the Derry and Manchester clubs, said the business has done well here.

“It’s been terrific. I’m very happy,” he said.

The new Zoo will be located just off Route 101 between Planet Fitness locations in nearby Raymond and Stratham. With more than 1,000 locations, Newington-based Planet Fitness bills itself as one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the country.Zoo Health Club

According to Scott, membership rates vary, but generally range anywhere from about $15 to $30 a month with family discounts.

While the gym is open 24 hours, Scott said there will be times when there is no staffing — usually at night — but members will still be able to access the club with a card.

Wayne Morrill, senior project manager of Jones and Beach Engineering in Stratham, outlined the plan for the planning board last week.

Morrill said construction will take about six months. The gym is expected to open sometime this fall, he said.

Meanwhile, Morrill said he is working with the developer of the retail project to find a tenant for another 3,000-square-foot building planned near the Zoo and Dollar Tree. Morrill said he expects to be back before the board in a couple of months with plans for that building.