GoodLife, based in London, Ont., posted a notice on its website that the new location will open this fall.
When contacted, company representative Krista Maling said the new club will hire approximately 50 local employees. Ten to 12 of those will be group exercise instructors, she said, adding that the company is still recruiting staff.
The St. Laurent Centre confirmed that the new club will open by November and that renovations to the space have already begun.
A construction permit recently issued by the City of Ottawa put the value of renovations at $500,000.
"It's going to be a total, new rebuild," said St. Laurent Centre representative Gord McMillan. "There will be total new fixtures, new equipment - everything will be brand new."
He said the club will set up shop in the mall within two weeks to begin selling advance memberships.
The new club will occupy the more than 30,500 square feet of space formerly taken up by Florida Fitness, which abruptly closed its doors this past February. The closure left some members scrambling to stop monthly payments to the company.
A notice posted by mall management indicated the company, 1633635 Ontario Inc., was in default of its lease for arrears in payment of minimum rent and additional rent in the amount of $190,371.77. A similar notice was posted at the West Hunt Club Road location.
GoodLife's website said its new club will feature hot yoga facilities, a tanning salon and a child minding area, among other features. Company officials said the new facility will be co-ed.
It will represent the 18th GoodLife location in the Ottawa area.
Please see also: Florida Fitness closes, owing over $200K in rent
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