As a bagpiper played celebritory music, Mayor Craig Fentiman and the Sweet Home Ambassadors cut the ribbon Saturday morning on the Sweet Home Gym and Fitness Center, 971 Main.
New owners, Greg and Kathi Downs, are involved in celtic history, so the piping was an appropriate and enjoyable way to open their new Sweet Home business, formerly World Gym.
The Downs have lived in the community about 11 years. Greg is a superintendent for a private golf course near Holley.
He said the purchase came about because the previous owners were planning to shut down the business. Downs worked out with his sons there and said he wanted to see the family-oriented business continue.
“The boys and I like athletic events at the Highland Games and I started working out with them,” Downs said. “I guess you could say I bought myself a job.”
The gym is now called Sweet Home Gym and Fitness Center and is open from 5 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
“We plan to make this a family operation,” Downs said. “We don’t plan to hire employees outside of our family.”
The gym has a membership of 500-600, Downs said.
“We offer excellent equipment, both free weights and machines of all types,” Downs said.
Downs plans to become a certified personal trainer to provide services to customers.
A one year membership costs $199 and a second family member can be added for $100. A monthly rate is $19.
Child care is available from 7:30-9:30 a.m. and 4-8 p.m. daily. Cost is $5 per child per month.