What happens after a 2 year lock down?

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Like many small businesses across Canada, we did everything we could to stay alive during COVID. We adapted, downsized, reinvented, but the government forced us to be closed for almost 2 years . But surviving the pandemic came at a cost—a cost many people don’t see.

To make it through the mandated closures, capacity limits, and months with little or no revenue, we were forced to take on government loans simply to pay rent, pay taxes, pay utilities and pay staff (for as long as possible). These loans weren’t optional; they were the only lifeline available for small businesses like ours. We never really believed the government would force small businesses to pay back the loans after they forced the business to stay closed.  What most people don’t realize is that the financial impact didn’t end when restrictions lifted. It continues today. Right now its almost 2026 and we are 2 years away from paying back the loans.  That is on top of losing 90% of members and basically starting from scratch.  

A Heavy Burden That Doesn’t Go Away

At the height of the pandemic, our business accumulated over $180,000 in COVID-related debt—not because of mismanagement, but because the government shut us down while expenses continued. Rent. Utilities. Insurance. Equipment leases. Payroll. These didn’t stop.

Today, despite years of rebuilding, we still owe over $100,000 from those government programs alone.

And as of 2024–2025, many of these loans have now converted into high-interest debt—at rates as high as 9%.
For a small business, that isn’t just a challenge.
It’s a hardship.

Every month, a significant portion of our revenue goes toward paying down debt we were forced into by circumstances outside our control. While large corporations recovered quickly, small businesses are still carrying the financial scars of the pandemic—with no additional relief.  The Owner is a Volunteer and there is no profit from this business.  This business is open because we believe that a community should stay fit & have the chance to workout in a an inclusive comfortable place.

Why We’re Sharing This

We believe in transparency.
We believe in community.
And we believe people deserve to know the truth about what small businesses across the country are still facing.

We are proud of what we’ve built. We are grateful for the support we’ve received. And we remain committed to serving our community every single day. But the reality is: the financial recovery from COVID is far from over for small business owners.

Your continued support—visiting us, choosing us, recommending us—makes a real and meaningful difference. It helps us keep moving forward, even as we shoulder a burden created during one of the most difficult times in modern history.

Thank You for Standing With Us

If you are reading this, thank you.
Your awareness and support help ensure that small, locally owned businesses like ours don’t just survive—but eventually recover and thrive again.