Anytime Fitness is scheduled to open in Ottawa next to O’Reilly’s Auto Parts in late March, said franchise owner Dave Sabo.
Bryan Reynolds | The Lima News
OTTAWA — After two years of trying to open an Anytime Fitness in Ottawa, franchise owner Dave Sabo, a former marine, is weeks away from opening the doors of his gym at 820 N. Locust St. next to O’Reilly’s Auto Parts.
Sabo said his mission is to get Anytime Fitness locations into rural areas because, when it comes to health and fitness, these areas are generally ignored. His franchise includes locations in Napoleon, Wauseon and Van Wert.
“We can bring state of the art equipment and certified trainers to these rural areas,” he said.
The Ottawa Anytime Fitness will have items typically found in a gym, including treadmills, stair mills, elliptical machines and plate and free weights. The gym will also offer one-on-one personal training, group training, fitness and health classes. Health coaching will be offered to every member as a benefit of membership.
The building Sabo leased had to be completely gutted and renovated to fit the specific needs for a gym, Sabo said. Currently, the interior is still being renovated. The electrical system, duct work, floors and water all had to be reworked. When the interior is finished, a wide open room will house all of the main equipment. Rooms have been built off to the right side of the room for tanning beds, restrooms and showers.
A room at the rear of the building will be used for various training classes, Sabo said.
A basic membership costs $30 a month. Each member will receive a key fob, usable for access to any of Anytime Fitness’s 3,700 locations nationwide, Sabo said. Anytime Fitness will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays.
“There are some franchises that go for a smaller foot print and charge a little more,” Sabo said. “We go for a bigger footprint and charge a little less.”
Currently, Club Director Tim Bowlin is taking membership applications in a trailer set directly across from the gym entrance in the parking lot. Payment for membership is not due until Anytime Fitness opens.
Reach Bryan Reynolds at 567-242-0362.
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