The Sportsbarn’s East center on Lee Highway is set to be acquired by Fitness Central, according to David Brock, the President of Sportsbarn.

This decision comes after a previous attempt to sell both Sportsbarn centers to another entity fell through.

Fitness Central is scheduled to take over management of the East site in November, as confirmed by Tim Webb, the Managing Member of Fitness Central and a devoted Sportsbarn member for nine years. The group has an option to purchase the site, with the transaction anticipated to close in January.

Webb’s partners in this venture include Kevin Roenpage, a seven-year Sportsbarn member, and Teresa Wade, who has been involved in running the club for three decades.

Furthermore, Fitness Central’s officials are actively working on establishing a new facility in downtown Chattanooga, specifically at 2133 Rossville Ave. Webb has ambitious plans to open this location next March. The project involves leasing and renovating an existing building to offer 10,000 square feet of workout space, along with outdoor amenities.

Following the closure of the Sportsbarn’s downtown location at 301 Market St. on February 28 after 44 years, when it was purchased by a Missouri-based hotel chain, Webb recognized an opportunity to fill the void in that part of Chattanooga and provide a fitness center to the community.

Initially, Fitness Central’s membership fees will remain unchanged, but a restructuring of the fee structure is planned for January.

The Sportsbarn, a club that has been part of Chattanooga’s fitness landscape since 1979, was founded by a group led by the late Alex Guerry, former CEO of Chattem, a Chattanooga-based over-the-counter medicine manufacturer.