East Greenwich Gold’s Gym back open, for now

December 16, 2015 5:47 pm

By: Rebecca Turco
Email: rturco@abc6.com

EAST GREENWICH, R.I. – Gold’s Gym in East Greenwich is back open after a judge ordered its doors closed Tuesday.

The gym’s owners had been behind on paying bills and recently went into receivership.

On Wednesday morning, a judge agreed to re-open the gym through January 31, partly because the landlord agreed to hold off on rent until then. Rent and maintenance end up costing the gym nearly $50,000 a month, according to the gym’s receiver, Theodore Orson.

The judge ordered the gym’s receiver to pay $28,000 in salaries owed to around 25 employees. The gym has until the end of January to find new ownership or figure out another game plan, otherwise it could close.

Tuesday and Wednesday have been a whirlwind for the gym’s employees. "I’m a single mom with three kids, and when I heard [about the initial closing], I was like are you kidding me cause I need to buy Christmas presents," lamented Jackie Delgizzo, the gym’s fitness director.

Some members are choosing to cancel amidst the financial drama. But not Matthew Towey, who said he is relieved the workers won’t be losing their jobs so close to Christmas. "I’m happy for the people that have families that work here and depend on this for their livelihood," he told ABC6 News.

An email blast was sent out to all members, updating them on the situation.

The Gold’s Gym in Pawtucket has different ownership and is not affected by the situation, according to the attorney for one of the owners of the East Greenwich branch.