Club South to reopen as Creekside South

By Don Shilling

Club South to reopen as Creekside South

The landlord plans to spend $150,000 on upgrading the club.

BOARDMAN —¬†Club South is scheduled to reopen about April 1 with a new operator and a new name.

Ed Reese, the owner of Creekside Fitness, reached a deal Thursday to lease the Tiffany Boulevard fitness club, which has been closed since Feb. 19. He intends to call the club Creekside South, said John Giannios, the landlord.

Based on discussions with Reese, Giannios said he doesn’t think people who paid for memberships at Club South will be reimbursed or receive credit.

“I feel bad about that,” he said.

Giannios said the payments for past memberships went to the previous operator, Lance Owens.

Owens said it would be a “crying shame” if his members don’t receive credit for past payments.

“That’s why I left all my equipment in the club, so my members would be taken care of. I’m penniless, absolutely broke,” he said.

Owens settled a lawsuit filed by Giannios on Monday by terminating his lease and turning over the fitness equipment to the landlord.

Reese could not be reached to comment.

Giannios said people can come to the club next week to pick up belongings or information about memberships. Staff will be on hand from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 15.

Giannios said he plans to spend $150,000 on improvements to the club in the next six to eight months.

“A lot of tender, loving care needs to be put into the place,” said Giannios, who bought the facility last month.

The first area to receive attention will be the women’s locker room, he said. While renovations are occurring, women will use an upstairs locker room. After the women’s facility is finished, the men’s locker room will be upgraded, Giannios said.

Renovations will include installing new showers, sinks and counters. Some of the lockers will be replaced.

Upgrades elsewhere will include new ceiling tiles, carpet, roof and finish on the running track.

Giannios said Reese isn’t planning any major changes to the club at first but will be evaluating the operation. Some new equipment from Creekside Fitness on Boardman-Canfield Road will be moved to the Tiffany Boulevard site.

He said Reese has indicated he is open to ideas from members.

Club South had about 2,000 members when Giannios sought a court order to have it closed. Creekside Fitness has 1,500 members.

Giannios, who owns Giannios Candy in Struthers, said his investments to upgrade the club show that he is committed to making Creekside South work.

“[Reese] is confident that this is going to work, and so am I,” Giannios said.

shilling@vindy.com