Enumclaw Fitness Center to Close September 30

The is closing its doors this September 30.

Members got the news last week after co-owner Drew Elliott said he took the previous weekend to reconsider the business after a proposal to help the local gym achieve some temporary financial stability fell through.

A local company had offered to help owners Elliott and partner Kaylin with a lease arrangement in which the gym could move into another facility and in exchange, that company's employees could receive free memberships, Elliott said. However, the proposal fell through due to internal issues. Elliott declined to identify the company due to a non-disclosure agreement.

"The deal falling through leaves us without a roof over our heads," Elliott said.

The unfulfilled deal came about after Patch reported in June that the Elliotts were eyeing a move to another smaller building and encouraging members to work and contribute dues under a more cooperative vision. The move was, in part, due to the fact that the building that currently houses the gym is up for public auction after its previous owners had filed for bankruptcy last year. ()

A part of the Elliotts' vision included having members contribute a bi-annual improvement fee of up to $15 and asking them to commit to one-year contracts. With the decision to close, Elliott said the fees that have already been assessed have been returned or re-credited to members.

EFC's seven part-time employees will also be looking for work elsewhere. The gym currently does not employ any full-time staff members other than Elliott himself. He said it also contracts with about 30 people in the community teach a variety of classes.

The reaction from members has been supportive on the whole, though people were understandably disappointed. Elliott said giving everyone more than two months notice of the closing would hopefully provide members with enough time to tie up loose ends and find other options in the community.

That the gym has been in the community for more than 20 years is not lost on Elliott. "I'm going to be known as the guy who closed the gym," he acknowledged. While finding a way to finance the vision of moving the gym was still feasible, he didn't think it was fair to members. The facility they were looking at was half the size of the current gym, he said, and he still needed to raise $100,000 for a down payment. "In the end, it was about integrity. I didn't want to drag it out."

The auction date for the building at 856 Cole Street has been postponed to August 3.

Other Workout Options in Enumclaw

Though EFC provided the only traditional gym facility in Enumclaw, there are several options for those looking for a new home or who might be looking for a place to work out for the first time:

CrossFit Enumclaw

Work out at home: Following the September 30 closure, the Elliotts aim to liquidate all of the equipment currently in the gym. A list of what will be available will be posted to the website www.enumclawfitnesscenter.com.