The only newspapers circulating at the Tri-Valley Herald's former building on Willow Road will be the ones exercisers will read as they work out on treadmills at a new, bigger 24 Hour Fitness. The proposed 56,000-square-foot facility plans were recently approved by the Planning Commission.

According to city planning documents, the fitness corporation plans to operate a "super sport club," the second-highest level it offers, at 4770 Willow Road in the Hacienda Business Park. When that happens, the new club will replace the existing 24 Hour Fitness club, which is an "active club"--one of the lowest levels, located at 5860 W. Las Positas Blvd., according to the city staff report.

When asked about the new facility, a person who answered the phone at the West Las Positas 24 Hour Fitness said that information was incorrect, but declined to say anything further. A company spokesman confirmed that a new facility would be opening in the business park, replacing the current facility, but declined to answer when it would open.

James Paxson, general manager of the Hacienda Business Park Owners Association, said he is thrilled that the fitness giant is relocating to the business park, one of the largest parks of its kind in Northern California.

"We're really excited," he said. "This is one of those win-win-win-win-win situations, not only doing it to keep an existing tenant (in the city), we're putting them in a facility that I think is going to allow them to expand and provide additional services beyond what they're providing now."

"They have lots of clients in the (business) park so this gives those clients more choices and bigger benefits and it also provides a fantastic use in an area that we're trying to energize," he added.

The two-story building 24 Hour Fitness will operate out of was occupied by the Tri-Valley Herald newspaper up until this past spring, when Denver-based Media News, which owns the paper, decided to consolidate operations. Many in the editorial staff and most of the accounting, human resources, circulation and clerical workers have since moved into Media News Group buildings at 127 Spring St. in Pleasanton, Bishop Ranch or Walnut Creek. The building was constructed soon after the City Council approved it in June 1989. The Herald moved in and had occupied the facility for nearly 20 years.

A super sport level club typically offers a main gym, an indoor swimming pool, two spas, a sauna, steam room, indoor basketball court, cardio exercise room, two group exercise rooms, men's and women's locker rooms and a kids' club area, according to the city staff report. The next closest super sport is located in San Ramon.