It’s been nearly a year since Esports Fitness closed its doors, but no plans have yet been submitted to redevelop the building that previously housed Esports Fitness in Oswego.
Esporta Fitness, located at 201 Ogden Falls Road on Route 34, closed on October 16, 2023. LA Fitness operates Esporta Fitness Center.
“It’s a fairly large vacancy, so it’s set up on its own,” Oswego Economic Development Director Kevin Leighty said Oct. 9, updating Oswego Economic Development Commissioners on the status of the project. “We’ve talked to a few different fitness users, we’ve talked to entertainment users, and there seems to be some interest. It’s just a matter of finding the right user for the space, because the space can’t be easily divided. So we focus more on one user across the building.”
The 45,000 square foot building was built in 2008 and sits on a 4.88 acre lot. After Esporta Fitness closed, other fitness centers opened in Oswego.
In April, VASA Fitness opened in the long-vacant former Dominicus building in the Oswego Commons Shopping Center on Route 34 in Oswego. The space at 3010 Route 34 had been vacant since the grocery store closed in 2013.
“We want to provide an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome and included, and where they can find something that will help them reach their fitness goals and something they’ll enjoy.” , said Layne Nordquist, Regional Director, VASA Fitness. “When you look around the gym, you’ll find something for everyone, whether you’re serious about improving your fitness, such as Olympic lifting, or just want to come in and get a great workout from a certified coach. We truly have something for everyone on their fitness journey.”
They’ve seen people coming back to the gym. Like other businesses, fitness centers have taken a hit during the pandemic.
“Last I checked, membership across the industry is stronger than it was pre-COVID,” Grimsley said. “And mental health is becoming even more important, as is physical fitness. That’s why people are using the gym as a way to not only get physically fit, but also mentally fit.”
In addition to the opening of VASA Fitness, Orangetheory Fitness has also opened in the space at 1540 Douglas Road previously occupied by Men’s Warehouse at Jerry Centennial Plaza.
