Kennebec Valley Health Club changes hands, to remain fitness center in Farmingdale

FARMINGDALE — When Sharon Roy made the decision it was time to provide her business enterprise in Farmingdale, she experienced one request for the broker: Don’t set up a “For Sale” indication.

“I just can not have that,” Roy reported a short while ago. “I simply cannot have my customers drive up each and every working day and see a indication. It results in question in the group.”

For 45 yrs, Roy has run the KV Health Club, initially with her partner, Kim Brouillet, who died 18 a long time in the past after being identified with most cancers, and now by herself.

Roy reported as she ways her 65th birthday, she is ready to have another person else acquire above the business.

Julia Panepinto performs heat-up deadlifts in September 2020 at the KV Health Club in Farmingdale. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal file

Preserving that neighborhood was critically important to Roy and Scott Coutts, who has purchased the business enterprise. The offer shut Monday. Terms of the sale have not been disclosed.

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“He was fearful that anyone would buy (the property) and convert it into workplaces and shed the local community link,” Roy explained.

For the generations of men and women who have utilised the KV Well being Club, as it is recognized, the facility has been a next residence and the staff members an prolonged family members.

The relatives atmosphere was a magnet for Coutts, who owns and operates two neighborhood enterprises with his companions: Coutts Brothers Inc. in Randolph, which does utility construction and substantial-voltage line work, and Quirion Development Inc. in Augusta, which does residential and industrial earth operate, among the other products and services.

Coutts’ link to the physical fitness center dates again to his teenage several years, and he did his to start with bodybuilding present there.

“(They) ended up great ample to give to give me a vital when I could not make it on time,” Coutts mentioned. “I was capable to function out on the off hrs. It is a truly good household environment. Superior vitality.”

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Though Coutts by no means imagined he would own a health club, he stated KV Overall health Club is an set up, spouse and children-oriented enterprise, like Coutts Brothers and Quirion Building.

“I am not performing this for economic gain, and I know that likely into it,” he said. “This is extra of an psychological decision on my element due to the local community and acquiring that taken care of as a health and fitness center.”

The KV Health Club opened in 1977 at a tiny rental room in Augusta. At that time, Roy was enrolled in nursing university and married to Brouillet.

Brouillet had acquired into the health club and explained to his spouse he prepared to buy out the owner.

When he had acquired a diploma in criminology, Brouillet was a normal athlete who experienced competed in shot place at the Junior Olympic Game titles, in accordance to Roy. He parlayed that into producing the overall health club.

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The enterprise grew as the few added a women’s software, hosted powerlifting competitions and constructed interest in bodybuilding.

With each individual enlargement, they sought out other spaces, and finally finished up in Farmingdale. When they were faced with however a different shift, they made the decision to establish their very own house. They opened the latest facility at 11 KV Lane in 1992.

In 1998, Brouillet was identified with melanoma, a kind of pores and skin most cancers. At that level, Brouillet turned around operation of KV Wellness Club to Roy while he concentrated on his cure. He died in 2004 at 52.

Using about the day-to-day jogging of the fitness club gave Roy a more powerful spine, she stated, but it also tested her, as did overhearing remarks from clientele expressing uncertainties about her means to carry on on her individual.

“The naysayers explained, ‘I give her six months,’” she said. “I stated: “Watch me, baby. I’ve been performing it.’”

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But Roy was also running the risk of overdoing it by operating extended hrs and numerous days at a extend. That is when she employed Ron Gallagher to be supervisor.

Together the way, Roy has acquired certifications as a diet and wellness marketing consultant. She is a private trainer, a senior physical fitness expert and a golfing conditioning teacher.

Roy has also made operating teams and Silver Sneakers courses for older shoppers, which have helped establish communities of pals. That thread of local community is also seen in the pictures she has pinned to her business office doorway exhibiting diverse generations of place households who have grow to be clientele.

“I are living with no regrets,” Roy mentioned. “I test to glance at my solutions and make the best choice centered on what is likely to be ideal for me and the people today about me. I just cannot say I wish I would have accomplished everything diverse, due to the fact it would not have gotten me to this spot.”

“This place” contains being married to Colin Roy, a retired faculty athletic director who spent 26 a long time at Hall-Dale Center and High University in Farmingdale, whom she satisfied in 2008.

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While Roy mentioned she designs to go on as a coach at KV Well being Club, she also hopes to commit additional time enjoying golf with her partner, and not getting up at 2:30 a.m. to open up the fitness center for the early risers.

Coutts reported he has brief- and extended-term options for the health and fitness club, which includes owning Gallagher keep on as supervisor. Coutts stated he is also searching to update some of the cardio equipment, and he programs to speak with members about what they would like to see at the club.

“I want to get some clean, younger blood in there,” Coutts stated, “and make the changeover to get more youthful customers concerned, and some sports teams in the location at the high school stage. It would be a travesty to not have the health club in the Gardiner-Farmingdale space.”

Editor’s Note: This story has been up-to-date to reflect that the title of the business is KV Health Club. 

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