Franchiser working to reopen Briargate Gold's Gym

A Gold’s Gym fitness center in northern Colorado Springs, shuttered this week because its operator owed more than $1 million on its lease, could reopen soon after Gold’s Gym International said it’s working to resolve issues with the landlord.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday locked the doors of the Briargate Gold’s Gym, 7655 N. Union Blvd.. A court order served by the Sheriff’s Office said franchisee Fitness Consortium LLC of Bellevue, Wash., owed $1.02 million in back rent, late charges and interest on the nearly 49,000-square-foot building it leased in a shopping center from a local real estate company.

Fitness Consortium was in the fifth year of a 15-year lease that began in August 2007, but had breached the deal “by failing to timely pay rent beginning in 2009,” the court order said.

As Gold’s Gym members arrived Thursday morning, they were greeted by signs in the building’s windows that advised them the facility was closed and that more information was available at a second Gold’s Gym location on Powers Boulevard, which remains open.

“I just joined two days ago,” said an angry Don Craig, an airline pilot who lives in Monument and who had just paid a $100 initiation fee.

However, members might not miss too many workouts: Gold’s Gym International, based in suburban Dallas, said Thursday that as the franchiser, it was stepping in to ensure the individually owned Briargate facility would reopen and that members could continue workouts without disruption.

“We are working closely with the landlord and hope to have the gym open for business (Friday) under new management,” Gold’s Gym International said in a statement.

Trevor Poling, president and CEO of the  Colorado Springs Gold’s Gym franchise, acknowledged earlier Thursday he had been behind on the rent, but said he had been in negotiations with the landlord, Vintage Properties, a Springs real estate company, and that the court order came as a surprise. Vintage officials didn’t comment, but referred questions to Gold’s Gym International.

Poling said the Briargate facility has struggled in the face of the sour economy and multiple competitors. The mammoth Life Time Fitness opened last spring on the northeast side of Colorado Springs — the second megagym in the area after VillaSport. Poling at the time said the market was saturated even before the addition of Life Time.

Poling would not comment on membership numbers; earlier this year, he said the Briargate Gold’s Gym had about 6,800 members.

“We’ve had some bumps in the road,” he said Thursday, but added that a new marketing campaign launched in September had turned business around.

Several Gold’s Gym members were frustrated upon finding locked doors as they showed up Thursday morning.

Kit Ruff showed up for her twice-weekly water aerobics class only to find the parking lot mostly empty, the doors locked and signs informing members of the closure. She and her husband have been Gold’s Gym members for more than three years.

“I need a place to exercise,” Ruff said.

Craig, the airline pilot, said he and his wife are paying $30 a month in addition to their $100 initiation fee.. On disability and not working for the last 1 1/2 years, Craig said his finances are tight.

“I don’t have money to throw away,” he said..