Planet Fitness permanently closes at former Marion mall

The Planet Fitness at 1129 N. Baldwin Ave. in Marion has permanently closed after the City of Marion determined that hazardous structural conditions at the property posed a threat to public safety.

The city announced the closure on Sept. 14, stating that the action was necessary to help ensure public safety. 

The gym was located inside the former Five Points Mall, which opened in 1961 and was later enclosed. The mall’s interior has been closed since 2019, although several businesses continued operating through exterior entrances.

The closure is part of a larger action involving the property. 

According to a city notice, an Emergency Determination and Order to Vacate, Close, and Secure was issued Sept. 14 for the property. The notice states that the conditions presented an “immediate and continuing danger to life, public safety, and property.” 

A hearing originally scheduled for Sept. 21 has been continued to Oct. 5 before the Marion Board of Public Works and Safety.

For Planet Fitness members, the sudden closure has created questions about their memberships.

Darby Scalf purchased his membership the day before the gym closed. He said he chose the location because it was close to his home and recommended by people he knew.

Scalf first learned about the closure from a family member. After driving past the gym and seeing the closure sign, he realized he had not received any direct communication from the location.

“I still have not heard from the store themselves,” Scalf said. “From the owner or the manager of the store itself saying, ‘Hey, we’re closed. What can we do?’”

Scalf said corporate representatives told him the Marion location was independently owned and that membership concerns would be handled by the local owner or manager. He was told it could take three to five business days to receive a response.

While waiting, Scalf said he is concerned about canceling his membership because the local gym is no longer open.

“I would have to drive either to Kokomo or Muncie or Fort Wayne or somewhere to a Planet Fitness to actually do that,” Scalf said.

Attempts to reach Planet Fitness employees and managers and City of Marion officials and employees for comment were unsuccessful. The Grant County Health Department said it had no involvement in the immediate closure.

The future of the property remains uncertain as the city moves forward with its action regarding the building.