Muskegon Community College is seeking proposals to lease the Lakeshore Fitness Center (LFC) for a period of six months for the purpose of operating the Center as a fitness facility.
The College, which closed its operation of the LFC on March 19, issued its Request for Proposals (RFP) on July 1 and set a July 24 deadline for receiving all bids.
The lease period would be from September 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021. MCC is planning to issue an RFP in August 2020 for the long-term operation of the Lakeshore Fitness Center beginning in March 2021.
“At its June meeting, the MCC Board of Trustees approved the RFP for short-term operation of the facility to quickly retain as many of its former members who would prefer the option of remaining with the Lakeshore Fitness Center,” explained MCC President Dale K. Nesbary.
In August 2015, MCC purchased the Lakeshore Fitness Center from the Muskegon YMCA. MCC contracted with a third-party operator, Power Wellness, to operate the facility. It was closed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. MCC, which had lost $ 2.5 million in operating the Center, decided in May to permanently cease operations.
Selection of the short-term operator will be at the discretion of MCC, which reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. Interviews will be conducted in late July and, if a selection is made, the operator would be notified in August. The operator would be responsible for all expenses to run and maintain the facility, equipment and grounds.