“Opening a new club in the middle of a pandemic … What could go wrong?” joked Granite Coast Properties Marketing Manager Bridget Finnegan. On Nov. 2, 2020, the group opened their South Portland, Maine facility. Many Planet Fitness® franchisees faced substantial challenges as they tried to open clubs during the past year, as it is not easy to open a new club when the world is still struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new location in South Portland is a 28,000 square foot facility. It features a spectacular glass façade and a unique two-story design, which was created by Sargenti Architects with Leibo Brothers handling the construction. Thankfully, the vast workout space is ideal for these times of social distancing. It is essential, of course, to be able to space people out while they exercise, and that is much easier when the facility itself is spacious.

“We are thrilled with the community response to the new club,” Finnegan said. Although there is a sense of triumph in being able to launch a new location, the group is ready for the pandemic to be over. “Like everyone else, we look forward to the post-COVID world and relaxed occupancy limits.”

It is heartening to hear of new clubs opening in these difficult times, bringing the use of judgement-free workout facilities to communities at an affordable rate.