Anytime after early December – new YK gym postpones opening

Yellowknife’s first 24-hour gym has delayed its opening, claiming issues remain with its permitting.

Anytime Fitness, a chain of round-the-clock fitness clubs, is due to arrive in the city courtesy of Safaa Nielsen and business partner Alex Nielsen.

However, on Facebook, the franchise’s operators said unexpected delays may push the gym’s opening into the new year.

“The gym will not be opening early December, unfortunately, and for that we apologize,” read an update posted on Friday.

The owners said there had been “a few hurdles” related to City of Yellowknife permitting and satisfying the NWT fire marshal’s requirements.

“We are working through them as the gym continues its construction,” the Facebook post added.

“An exact opening date will be announced shortly after we get the fire marshal’s approval. Please bear with us during the holiday season as we work our hardest to get through this.”

Earlier this year, Safaa Nielsen told Cabin Radio gym users could expect a facility with long staffed hours and all-day access using a key fob, including on holidays.

“With the long winters in Yellowknife, we thought it would be super-fun and beneficial if people can go any time, see other members of the community, and also benefit from a gym,” Nielsen said at the time.

The gym is being installed at the Center Ice Plaza.

Anytime Fitness, headquartered in Minnesota, operates around 2,800 locations in North America and some 1,500 elsewhere around the globe.