A West Kelowna gym that has been fighting against COVID-19 orders has closed its doors — at least for the time being..Gyms, bars, nightclubs, and other indoor organized gatherings were ordered to close in late December 2021, however, Iron Energy Gym owners said they were going to re-open, refusing to enforce BC’s vaccine passport system making the claim everyone has a right to mental and physical well-being..The owners stood by their word, however, after unrelenting pressure from Interior Health and thousands of dollars in fines, Iron Energy has been issued a closure order threatening potential jail time.. Screen-Shot-2022-02-23-at-2.16.53-PM .“This is super emotional for all the owners,” Brett Godin, co-owner of Iron Energy said Tuesday..“We fought our assess off and paid thousands upon thousands of dollars to stay open.”.Godin says the gym needs support now more than ever, asking for people to order the gym’s “FREE BC” clothes or buy supplements through the gym. He also asks for people to support other businesses that are attempting to operate outside of state mandates..“Support your other businesses that are out there trying to stay open and unified,” he said..Interior Health issued 21 tickets, each $345 for the 21 days the gym has its doors open in January, totalling $7,245. This came on top of a $2,300 fine for not complying with the initial health order.. Screen-Shot-2022-02-23-at-3.04.32-PMCourtesy Iron Energy Gym .Now that owners have been served by the Supreme Court of BC with threat of jail time, they have been left with little choice but to close the 19,000 sq. ft fitness facility..“We are seeking legal counsel to see what we can do,” said Godin, adding that the owners are still here for everyone in need of support..“FREE BC” shirts can be purchased through the gym’s online shop..Reid Small is a BC-based reporter for the Western Standard.,rsmall@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/reidsmall
