Marion (WSIL) -- Some workout facilities across the country have been forced to permanently close, but one local gym owner has created a petition, to make sure that doesn't happen here.
Shane Smith, co-owner of Gold's Gym in Marion, has started to ask Gov. JB Pritzker to allow gyms in our area to re-open.
"Just trying to get our voice heard, because the seven weeks that we have been closed, has really killed our industry, our business," said Smith.
Clark Meadows has been attending Gold's Gym for ten years and says it's an integral part of his life.
"For over the last ten years, this is just a part of my daily life. I've got a job, where physical activity is important, so this doesn't just help in my personal life with my previous medical conditions I had, it also helps with my personal life."
Smith says he was planning precautions before the shutdown.
"Our staff has been rerouted to clean everything, all the time, non-stop. Each one of our members have their own personal sanitizing bottles to clean before and after use. They will be wearing masks," explained Smith.
"I mean, clearly, this gym's got plenty of square footage for people to separate, there's disinfectants, and cleaners everywhere," said Meadows.
Smith says he's seen 5 to 10 percent of his members cancel their memberships.
"That's business we might never get back, and that's business other health clubs might not ever get back, or might not have the oppportunity to get back if they don't open soon."
"We're all willing to take whatever necessary steps to help keep it disinfected and keep everybody safe. I mean nobody is looking to harm people, or get people sick, but at the same time, you're taking away the ability to be healthy," said Meadows.
Smith says members at his gym should expect to receive credit towards their memberships for the time the gym has been closed.
