November 17, 2009 | Story by: Hal Goodtree | Categories: News
Cary, N.C. – Impact Athletics, long a troubled giant in the landscape of Cary fitness and sports, abruptly shut its door on Friday, leaving hundreds of families and staff in the lurch.
Official information from Impact’s secretive management has been scarce, but numerous reports from employees and members indicate a deepening spiral of dysfunction and perhaps financial malfeasance. CaryCitizen will continue to investigate this story, but here’s what we know so far:
An employee who came to the front door told us the Cary Police showed up when the staff was informed the gym was closing down. When asked if the police were there to usher staff members out of the building, we were told that the reason was “people were very angry.”
Members of Impact’s competitive teams have reported that their coaches had complained of not being paid for several pay periods. We also heard unconfirmed reports that health benefits had not been paid for employees and that checks for competition fees had bounced.
Impact’s sudden departure leaves many families and former employees in limbo. Young athletes on Impact’s competitive and recreational teams must now find new gyms in mid-season. For elite high school athletes who trained at this gym, the interruption in training and program continuity could have a serious effect on opportunities to compete in college.
Court documents from New Jersey show that Impact’s corporate parent, UW of North Carolina, LLC, filed for bankruptcy on October 7 and has been in and out of court ever since. Richard Meth, on behalf of Sports2Values, LLC has filed a motion to move the proceedings to the Eastern District of North Carolina.
This is not the first time Impact has left young athletes hanging out to dry. In 2008, Impact pulled the plug on its cheer program, effectively kicking out the teams and coaches with no notice.
Parents, coaches and athletes meet in a parking lot to discuss the closure of Impact's cheer program, June 2008. Photo by Hal Goodtree.
The following notices were posted on the front door:
Do you have information about Impact’s closure? Drop us a note.
Michael Bostian
November 18, 2009 at 4:32 pm
A sign on the door immediately after the closure told members to call a law office in Long Island, NY (516-396-0385). They will take your name and telephone number, but do not have any information to share.
Coach
November 19, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I heard that 02 fitness may be looking to take over the club, but that may be just rumor, the club was mis managed and had a very high payroll, it was a great place to workout and the people that where members there had a good thing going on. maybe it will re open and be ran properly, I know that I could do it !