Mega Fitness Gym is changing hands

A young entrepreneur who took control of a mega-fitness gym de Quebec wants to restore letters from its lords to the company that made headlines for causing so many deaths during the pandemic.

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“The gym has lost its feathers in recent years and we had to completely change its image to get back on track,” says Rafael Provost, the training center’s new owner since the end of January.

The mega fitness gym became known to the public after it was directly or indirectly linked to hundreds of COVID-19 cases and around ten deaths in the spring of 2021.

Its former owner, Daniel Marino, came under fire for downplaying the severity of the outbreak when his company was found to be violating numerous hygiene rules.

“Mr. Marino had an opinion that the staff and I didn’t necessarily share […], but he is our boss. We tried to save as much furniture as we could,” says Genevieve Clermont, general manager of the gym, now called La Citt Fitness.

“very concerned”

He worked there for 24 years and was the lighthouse keeper until Mr. Provost arrived when he died suddenly on February 3, 2022 at the age of 57.

The autopsy report is yet to be made public, but the deceased’s daughter, Mr. Marino died of natural causes in his sleep, he said at the time.

“There was a lot of concern about Jim’s future [le décès de M. Marino] arrived “When I met Rafael, I knew he was the one we needed to get us back on track,” said Ms. Clermont explains.

The organization has also observed a significant increase in registrations after the regulatory change.

As a note

Mr. The Provost now hopes that La Citt Fitness will become a benchmark in terms of well-being and physical training in the region, but also across the province.

In a few months, in addition to 35,000 square feet of bodybuilding equipment, the establishment will add its own health counter, a relaxation room, a tanning and massage therapy area, a heated room for private lessons and a barbershop.

Not to mention the improvement of computer system, modified rooms and change in interior decoration.

“We’re making a 180-degree turn, and we’re really aiming to attract the best customers in Quebec. It’s going to become a health stop where we have all the services in one place,” says the 31-year-old entrepreneur and owner of Flip Ma Food Cabinet.