Golden Crane Moving to Lowell Road Plaza

Pretty soon, those looking for Golden Crane in Windham will have to head to its newest location.

Last week, the Planning Board approved the relocation of the karate studio to a plaza on Lowell Road. With the traditional martial arts studio currently upstairs from JP Kids and Company in the Village Green Plaza, their new facility will provide more space.

Counseling service offices will also relocate to the new Lowell Road location.

According to Lee Betts, who was at the meeting to represent Golden Crane, the new facility will house the same amount of students. The Lowell Road location will provide more parking to those attending the school.

The board did raise the concern that parking could become congested during business hours. Betts said that there has never been a problem due to the night hours of operation.

"During our business hours, most of the businesses there are closed," said Betts.

Betts told the board that parents typically temporarily park at their current location. The new spot allows an area to drop children off and then completely drive around the building. She said that there is a lane large enough to accomodate that.

The karate studio will be housed in a unit that used to be the location for a warehouse. A smaller adjacent unit is where the counseling services will be situated.

There will be no changes to the exterior landscaping, and all zoning regulations have been met. Business hours were approved for 4:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. between Tuesday and Friday.

On the Golden Crane website, Betts is listed as having 23 years of experience as an instructor. She is a sixth degree black belt in two forms of karate. She is also the owner of the private mental health practice that is attached.

Betts also attended the meeting with Diane McMullen, who has 29 years of experience as an instructor. The website lists her as one of the highest ranking female martial arts instructors in the country.