Prevail Athletics receives closure order from Northern Health

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – Prevail Athletics received a closure order from Northern Health on Thursday and will be closed until further notice.

In a Facebook post to its membership, the Prevail team says it doesn’t agree with the current mandate and fought to stay open.

“We know how important the gym is to our member’s physical and mental health during these cold winter months, and closing the doors is a decision we do not take lightly,” Prevail said in their post.

The order states the gym was in violation of Section D (2) of the Gathering and Events Order for the Northern Health Authority, enacted on December 22nd, which doesn’t allow persons to gather in an inside place for the “purpose of an adult exercise or fitness activity or class,”

According to the closure order, Prevail must close immediately and remain closed until the regional order expired or is amended to allow the premises to be used.

The gym thanked its members for their continued support and loyalty throughout the pandemic.

“With that being said, we are asking for your help these next 2.5 weeks. If we were to do a mass freeze or refunds on all memberships, there may not be a gym to come back to when this is all said and done. Even though the gym will be closed we still have to pay rent, utilities, and the many other expenses that it takes to run this huge facility,” Prevail said.

Those who cannot afford to continue their memberships can request a refund or freeze by emailing [email protected]