Longtime Burien health club/gym Highline Athletic Club announced on Monday that they will be permanently closing on Nov. 30, 2020.
The official announcement was issued via an email sent out to members.
First established in 1988, the HAC has been serving the region for over 30 years as an independently owned gym. The large health club – which has over 32,000 square feet – had an indoor heated pool, spa, steam room, sauna, cardio and weight equipment, basketball and pickle courts, wrap-around track and more, and offered dozens of classes each week.
Over the last few months though, the club shed most of its employees, and reports were that members were allowed to enter on their own using assigned key fobs.
Several members have expressed frustration on Facebook with how the club has been managed recently, with some still being charged monthly fees despite trying to quit. Many mention filing complaints with state Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
“The decision to close the business was a very difficult one for the owner as every effort had been made to keep it viable to be open since restrictions hit back in March of this year,” said Stren R. Lea, real estate agent who represents the owner. “Unfortunately, the governor’s most recent COVID shutdown mandate was the breaking point.”
A sale of the facility is pending though.
“I regret that can’t give any specifics about a possible sale at this time, but we are under contract with a buyer who plans to use the building in part for sports and fitness,” Lea added.
The popular local gym says it will be auctioning off all its equipment and furnishings online via Murphy Auctions on Dec. 9, with a physical viewing (at HAC) to be announced. Interested parties should be able to access auction information, with photos of inventory, etc., on the company’s website (murphyauction.com) by the end of November.
Highline Athletic Club is (was) located at 125 S. 156th Street:
