After a hotly contested application process in the Village of Great Neck Plaza and months of construction, the Great Neck Planet Fitness location officially opened its doors on Thursday.
“We’re thrilled to bring Planet Fitness’ Judgement Free Zone to Great Neck and be a part of the local community,” Planet Fitness director of corporate clubs Elizabeth Cunningham said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to exceed our members’ expectations by providing a high-quality, non-intimidating fitness experience at an incredible value.”
Village of Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender and Great Neck Chamber of Commerce Secretary Elliot Rosenblatt joined Cory Oulette, Planet Fitness’ Long Island district manager, in a ribbon cutting ceremony at the 25,000 square foot facility on Tuesday.
“Welcome to Great Neck Plaza,” Celender said as they cut the ribbon.
Officials from Planet Fitness also announced that it would be donating its enrollment fees from April 1 to June 11 to the Great Neck Community Fund, a non-profit group that seeks to serve disadvantaged residents of the Great Neck peninsula.
“We are thankful for the generous support of the Great Neck Planet Fitness who also shares our passion for connecting with the community, and look forward to continuing our goal of contributing to the health and welfare of the people of Great Neck,” Great Neck Community Fund executive director of Michael Larkin said in a statement.
Planet Fitness officials could not confirm how much was donated to the fund at press time.
The gym, located on the corner of Middle Neck and Great Neck roads opposite the Great Neck Long Island Rail Road Station, was opposed by many residents during its application process before the Village of Great Neck Plaza Board of Trustees.
Residents, many of whom were members of the New York Health and Racquet Club that previously occupied the space, presented the Village of Great Neck Plaza Board of Trustees a petition with 512 signatures in opposition to the gym in September. They said Planet Fitness’ elimination of amenities such as an indoor pool, as well as potential traffic and crime, made the gym a bad fit for the neighborhood.
Oulette has said that many of those who signed the petition have gone on to join the Great Neck Planet Fitness.
The hours for the gym will be 5:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on weekends.
The gym’s amenities include three water massage beds, two spray tanning booths and 24 flat-screen televisions.
