Monday morning's fire at Total Fitness Athletic Center left some members confused about where to flex their muscles.
Dozens of Total Fitness members arrived at Sixth Street Fitness Tuesday thinking they could work out there for free until their club re-opened. But club managers said those members misunderstood the arrangement between the two workout spots.
Lawrence Fire Marshal Rich Barr and Total Fitness general manager Lori Johnson discuss retrieving some paperwork in the center's office. Total Fitness Athletic Center, 925 Iowa, was heavily damaged in an early-morning fire Monday.
Total Fitness members will be allowed one free workout at Sixth Street, managers said. After that, they can purchase a short-term membership. A three-month membership costs $149.
Similar arrangements were worked out with Popeye's Cardio Fitness Center in Topeka and The Firm in Olathe.
"They're definitely doing us a favor," said Total Fitness manager Scott Dougan. "And they'll benefit from it."
Fire broke out at Total Fitness, 925 Iowa, shortly before 1 a.m. Monday. Damage estimates were initially set at $350,000, but the damage likely will be more than that once investigators get inside the building, said Richard Barr, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical fire marshal.
A construction crew demolished the north and west walls of the building Tuesday. Barr said part of the roof will be removed today before investigators can safely enter the building to determine a cause.
They spent much of Tuesday interviewing owners, employees and members to learn about the building, Barr said.
The 3,100 Total Fitness members who pay monthly will not be charged while services are unavailable, Dougan said.
Those who paid in advance will have the same amount of time available to use the gym after it reopens.
Total Fitness has set up an office at 925 Iowa, Suite 9, in the Hillcrest Shopping Center. The phone number 832-0818 should be hooked up soon, Dougan said.
He said the company is hoping to make decisions about opening a temporary location or rebuilding by the end of the week.
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