I would like to take a moment and reflect on what went down this past year at 900 Spokane Street, the home of Pride Muay Thai and Performance Fitness Gyms.
Both businesses were told to leave the building by Trail City Council.
Pride did find another building to continue their business but Performance was not so lucky as there are no buildings for rent in town that could accommodate all the fitness equipment and space needed.
Both of these gyms have had a huge impact on people’s lives and mental/physical health.
Pride is known all over North America for training champion mixed martial artists and Performance has been a business in town for the last 30 years.
Council said that the building was “donated” to the Silver City (sounds like an “under the table” tax break to me) and that it had reached its life expectancy.
Plans are for the building to be demolished for future use in the revitalization of downtown.
Yes, I agree that the building is old and unsuitable for future long-term use but council could have collaborated with the owners to extend the eviction time.
I did not see or hear of any council members communicating with both business owners to see how they were making out with finding new locations (Councillor Doug Wilson did make an appearance on my last day there and Pride owner Glen Kalesniko did say Doug talked to him at an earlier date).
Why was there no empathy or accommodating shown in the pushing out of these long-standing businesses?
Will the building sit there empty for years just like the C.S. Williams Clinic at the opposite end of the block?
This has caused a ripple effect and many people are upset about this whole situation.
I am sure a good number of citizens will remember this unfortunate event the next time there is an election.
There is a right and a wrong way to go about things in life and it is my opinion that Trail City Council went about this the wrong way.
In closing, I would like to raise my glass to Performance Fitness – the greatest gym for miles around that always had the best atmosphere, equipment and most importantly the best membership.
Derek Gustafson
Trail, B.C.
“The Home of Champions”
