Janet O’Brien’s dream of owning and operating her own women’s fitness center came true five years ago when she opened Body Waves Women’s Fitness Center, located on the south side of the square in Girard.
That dream will come to an end on July 31 when Body Waves will close due to what O’Brien called a “lack of interest” from the general public.
“There have been a lot of ladies come in,” she said Monday, “but no one stays. That’s always been an issue. We always struggled to keep members in.”
O’Brien, who also works at Girard High School, said she is sad to have to let go of something for which she had long desired.
“I’m very sad,” she said. “This was my dream.”
While they weren’t many, O’Brien said the dedicated members also have expressed sadness for the loss of Girard’s only fitness center.
“This was something new in Girard,” she said. “The city had never had a fitness center, and it’s something we really need. I had some dedicated people for five years. They came here faithfully. They’re sad, and probably mad.”
O’Brien said many of the women who worked out at Body Waves won’t have time to drive to Pittsburg or another community for their exercise.
“A lot of them did it on their lunch break,” she said. “We’re going to lose that convenience of having one right here.”
O’Brien hopes that someone will buy the company from her and try to keep it open.
“I’m hoping somebody will take it over,” she said. “If not, I’ll sell the equipment. My supplier said they’d help me sell it. But I really hope someone will step in and save it.”
O’Brien said a fitness center is a major asset for a community because it promotes health.
“People have to realize that exercise isn’t just for losing weight,” she said. “It’s a way of life.”
GIRARD —
