Fitness family rebuilds a dream
Friends, gym members and rival club all help to relaunch centre
New life and hope have emerged for a Surrey family after a devastating fire wrecked their fitness centre three weeks ago.
Vincent Jauncey, owner of World Kickboxing Xtreme Fitness, said Wednesday that the destruction was shocking but a new business is rising from the ashes of the old.
“My brain was a bit numb. It didn’t really click in,” said Jauncey of the fire on Feb. 2. “I relaxed when I found a new place.”
Along the way, he has been amazed by people’s kindness, and he feels lucky to have salvaged most of the water-damaged gear.
The gym has been a family affair since Jauncey and his wife Fabienne met in a London, England, gym almost three decades ago.
Jauncey, British kickboxing champion in 1987, trains upcoming fighters. Fabienne is a fitness instructor, and kickboxing sons Josh, 19, and Jay, 24, help out.
“We’re a fitness family. This is our love and what we do,” said Fabienne.
The fire destroyed more than two dozen businesses in a strip mall in the 8300-block Scott Road. The Jauncey’s facility was water-damaged but still standing. The business was not insured.
“I thought we were done,” said Fabienne. “The kids saw how distraught we were. I told them they had to be strong for their dad. I’ve never seen him like that in 28 years.”
Fortunately, help poured in from the community. Friends, gym members and a rival club transported equipment, fixed up the new premises and made space available for kickboxers training for the B.C. championships.
The boxing ring was retrieved from under one metre of water, as were weights, punching bags and electric treadmills that still worked after being dried out.
Rival kick-boxing coach Jimie Griffiths, who sponsors troubled youth at Team Bad Boy Outreach in Whalley, made time available at his gym.
“Vince is a proud man. He didn’t ask me, I had to convince him,” said Griffiths. “They’re a very humble and extremely nice family. Everything has worked out great.”
As a result of the continuous training, WKX boxers were able to keep honing their skills for the championships.
It paid off: James Hanson (175 pounds) and Bruce Khademi (160 lbs.) won B.C. titles in the open men’s division on Feb. 17.
Plans are coming together for the facility’s relaunch: A new warehouse location in the 12600-block 82nd Avenue is being gussied-up with fresh paint and new change rooms for a scheduled March 5 opening.
A benefit at the Wheelhouse Pub is slated for March 3 to help with damages and startup costs.
Fabienne said the experience has been a trial that seems to have come out right.
“If this doesn’t restore your faith in human nature, I don’t know what will,” she said.
“It’s like a miracle.”