LACONIA — The leadership team at The Wellness Complex wants to see the athletic facility reopened, even if that means it’s by someone else.
A fire closed the gym, which includes a pool, in November.
The business, which opened as a YMCA in 1962, saw its heyday as the Laconia Athletic and Swim Club. That business folded in 2015. It was re-opened in 2018 under the ownership of Charlie Mabardy.
“Whether he owns it or he ends up selling it to someone else, our utmost commitment remains to keep that facility intact,” said George Kalil, manager of the business when the fire forced its closure. “We understand how important it is to the community.”
Though there are several other options for local people looking to get in a workout, The Wellness Complex stands apart in that it’s the only one with a pool.
That pool is part of the reason why the club remains closed.
At 1:05 a.m. on Nov. 27, an alarm activated when a fire broke out in the ceiling above the pool. Heavy smoke, combined with the challenge of fighting a fire inside a pool building, pushed firefighters outside to douse the roof from above. As the fire spread, portions of the roof fell into the pool, causing pool water to flood the rest of the gym.
Damage to the building is surprisingly limited, Kalil said. Yes, the pool needs a new roof, and new flooring is needed throughout most, if not all, of the building, but the cinder-block and concrete structure is largely unscathed.
“The plurality of the infrastructure is well intact,” Kalil said. “Most of our standard weight lifting equipment, even our treadmills, are still operable. We emptied out the flood damage within 48 hours.”
Kalil said they still don’t know how the fire started, though there’s no suspicion it was been intentional. He noted the gym’s insurance company has been cooperative and responsive, though it remains an ongoing process.
In the meantime, it appears Mabardy is willing to consider offers from parties who would be interested in owning the Lakes Region’s only fitness center with a lap pool.
In Kalil’s estimation, a new owner, if they were able to start making repairs this summer, could have the business operational in time for next summer.
He said going through this process has been trying.
“I do want to see the best for this facility and for the community. Because of the fact that I want to see this place still succeed, whether we own it or not. It’s emotionally taxing because there are so many scenarios in how it could turn out,” Kalil said. “I want the fact that it is a small emotional burden to me to be a reassurance to the community that we are doing everything we can.”
link