EX-BIKIE’S GYM GONE
A FORMER bikie’s Gold Coast gym business has been slashed in half after the closure of his Broadbeach centre.
Members of ex-Hells Angel Peter Sidirourgos’ First Choice Fitness received a text message from the gym management stating it was temporarily closed.
The closure become permanent yesterday with another text message blaming a dispute with Oasis Centre management.
Centre management refuted the claim, saying the landlord worked “tirelessly” with the gym owner.
A FORMER bikie’s Gold Coast gym business has been slashed in half after his Broadbeach centre closed on Friday.
Members of former Hells Angel Peter Sidirourgos’ First Choice Fitness received a text message from the gym management saying it was temporarily closed.
It was confirmed yesterday the gym would not reopen, with another text message blaming a dispute with Oasis Centre management.
But centre management refuted the claim, saying the landlord worked “tirelessly” with the gym owner.
The closure follows Burleigh First Choice Fitness closing in 2017 and the Helensvale centre being shot at during a bikie war in December 2011.
Yesterday, outside the closed gym, a member said everyone knew it was owned by the ex-Hells Angels.
“That never bothered anyone because it was a good gym and it was run really well,” said the man, who did not want to be identified.
“But we have been wondering if it would close because the (membership) numbers were continually dropping.”
The company did not return Bulletin calls or emails about the closure.
A text message to members confirmed the store would be closed permanently.
“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we write to inform you that we have been unable to reach a resolution with the centre management,” the message read.
“First Choice Fitness Broadbeach will remain permanently closed.”
Oasis Centre management refuted these claims.
“All your information is not correct,” a statement from centre management read.
“The landlord has worked tirelessly with the tenant and if you proceed to print your story you will be printing false information. The landlord cannot comment on commercial dealings with a tenant.”
One gym user, who also wished to remain anonymous, said he paid $170 upfront for a four-month membership that was due to expire in mid-September.
He said he would not be travelling to the last remaining First Choice Fitness gym in Helensvale.
THAT (THE GYM WAS RUN BY AN EX-BIKIE) NEVER BOTHERED ANYONE BECAUSE IT WAS A GOOD GYM AND IT WAS RUN REALLY WELL.
ANONYMOUS GYM MEMBER
“Absolute rubbish that someone would travel for a gym,” he said. “Most members live in Broadbeach.”
In 2011, the First Choice Fitness gym at Hope Island Rd, Helensvale, was peppered with up to a dozen bullets. At the time Mr Sidirourgos described it as a “personal attack”.
The gym, part of a national franchise, moved to Helensvale after it burnt down at Southport in May, 2010.
Mr Sidirourgos was jailed for six years and four months for drug manufacturing in 2001 as part of a $2m Sydney amphetamines ring linked to the Bandidos.