Boca resident Jim Treacy purchased a $467 membership from Gold’s Gym recently, but when he returned from a Boston vacation Gold’s was gone. The gym at Spanish River Boulevard and Northeast Fifth Avenue was now Fit Gym, and Treacy was told he would need a new agreement. He has been protesting outside the gym for close to a week and is seeking answers.
“I got the contract in April and paid close to $500. I am out that money now, and it really seems unfair that I should have to pay again,” he said.
Fit Gym owner Paul Gajowniczek said he is sympathetic to Treacy and other Gold’s members and is willing to work with those spurned by Gold’s.
“This man is frustrated and I completely understand. Although I am not obligated to do so by any law or statute, I will work with anyone wronged by Gold’s,” he said. Gajowniczek said his normal rate is $39.99 per month for a year, but he will lower that rate and add existing contract months.
“If they have a Gold’s membership, I will charge $19.99 a month for the year and add all of those months from the Gold’s contract to that year,” he said.
Treacy said he is inclined not to take the offer because there is no guarantee Fit Gym will be there one year form now and he could find himself in the same boat. He has also been run off the property a few times, and the police have been called.
“I was outside on a stool with my sign and I didn’t know it was their property. I also had two of my signs taken when I was away from them,” he said.
Jorge Camejo is the city’s director of community development and said that while Treacy is certainly welcome to exercise his First Amendment rights, there are caveats. “It is illegal to disrupt business, block access or to be on private property. As long as the gentleman is protesting in the public right of way, he is absolutely entitled to express his views,” he said.
Camejo also said that unattended signs can be confiscated at any time.