Massive VASA Fitness to bring new life to old Sears property (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=535-Massive-VASA-Fitness-to-bring-new-life-to-old-Sears-property)

As the Sears at SW 44th and Western nears its final closure date, plans have emerged to redevelop the property and add a large new fitness center.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasa1.jpg


Based in Utah, VASA Fitness now has 26 locations in that state as well as Colorado, Kansas and a new location is set to open soon in Tulsa. Typical amenities include and indoor lap pool, aerobics / group exercise and spin classes, a basketball court, free weight area, hot tub hyrdro-massage, raquetball courts, steam and sauna, tanning and childcare facilities.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasa2.jpg


Based on plans by the owner of the entire property (which is independent from Sears), VASA would be located to the north and the front half of the Sears building would be razed with the remainder split into smaller retail bays.

Similarly, the Sears Automotive Center at the corner would be remodeled into a retail strip center and pad sites will be added for satellite buildings.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sears080518a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sears080518b.jpg


The Sears closing follows the shuttering of the Target directly to the south. However, the Target property is already being redeveloped with a large AutoZone distribution center (http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=43973) under construction and Dollar already open in part of that space.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/autozone081118c.jpg


The 160,000 square foot Sears store was built in 1965, includes and sits on 23.66 acres. It it set to close in September and is currently running a clearance sale.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sears081118.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasa5.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasa4.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasa3.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sears121618b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sears121618a.jpg

Do you know what, if any, type of remediation will need to happen for the conversion of the automotive center into restaurant/retail space?

I could have sworn you reported on this several months ago, Pete... Did you end up having to pull the article or something?

Still sad watching Sears close, but hopefully this project and the available outparcels will breathe some new life into this corner... and it's encouraging to see that Vasa is already getting after it and construction is beginning.

I did report on this before but just now creating a separate thread, because it had been lumped in with the Sears property and as you can see, the fitness center is a completely separate development.

I could have sworn you reported on this several months ago, Pete... Did you end up having to pull the article or something?

Still sad watching Sears close, but hopefully this project and the available outparcels will breathe some new life into this corner... and it's encouraging to see that Vasa is already getting after it and construction is beginning.

I was thinking the same thing; I had thought I developed a premonition ability.

Glad to see this continue to move forward. It will be a major shot in the arm for this side of town.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasa033119a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vas033119b.jpg

VASA Fitness coming to 23rd & Penn (https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=621-VASA-Fitness-coming-to-23rd-Penn)

Plans are underway to convert the old Buy for Less at NW 23rd and Pennsylvania to a massive fitness center.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasapenn7.jpg


VASA Fitness of Orem, Utah will spend $5 million to convert the 59,000 square foot building into a huge workout complex.

Typical amenities include an indoor lap pool, aerobics/group exercise and spin classes, a basketball court, free weight area, hot tub hydro-massage, racquetball courts, steam and sauna, tanning and childcare facilities.

The building at 2500 N. Penn has been shuttered since the grocery chain closed its doors in late 2016.

Sonic Drive-In will soon start work on completely replacing their restaurant directly to the south. Oklahoma City University is to the immediate east.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasapenn8.jpg

As OKCTalk was first to report (https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44759), VASA is well under construction on what will be its first Oklahoma City location just north of the closed Sears store at SW 44th & Western.


VASA currently has 38 locations in Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas and a newly-opened site in Tulsa.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasasouth060419.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasapenn1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasa2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasa4.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasa3.jpg

I drive by this building all the time! While this is a really good get for the previously empty building, I have to say my imagination went a little wild imagining a mixed-use apartment development being perfect for this spot. Especially with the university right there and it being down the street from the future Penn Central development. Now I just have to daydream about the Shepard Mall location being the next Penn Central!

Also, talk about an area deserving of bike lanes and bus rapid transit! I consistently see more people riding their bike and sitting at the bus stops in this area then anywhere else in the city (many I imagine because it's their only option)

I think this is a good development. I've always thought OKC lacked good gym options and am glad it is getting better. It'd be nice for me if they put one at Covell and I-35 but I'm not going to hold my breath.

Also, talk about an area deserving of bike lanes and bus rapid transit! I consistently see more people riding their bike and sitting at the bus stops in this area then anywhere else in the city (many I imagine because it's their only option)

I've noticed the same.

In fact, when I was taking the first photo in the article above, there were 5-6 people at the bus stop in the middle of the afternoon.

This intersection is in the middle of a really interesting spectrum of socio-economic backgrounds. You have OCU to the east, the increasingly expensive and upscale Gatewood just to the south, the historic Shephard neighborhood to the west and very much a working-class area to the north of OCU.

Yeah. I was surprised and somewhat disheartened that this area didn't receive more attention as part of the Better Streets initiative. While better sidewalks will be nice, the amount of pedestrians and bikes in this area leads to dangerous situations on a daily basis. While part of my feelings are definitely selfish as I live in Shepherd, building up the bike and pedestrian infrastructure in this part of town would provide significant benefits and desparately needed added safety. It could also have the added benefit of speeding up development in this part of 23rd and the significant commercial building stock along Penn just north and south of 23rd, which I believe has a huge amount of potential.

The new VASA location on S. Western is really coming along.

The new VASA location on S. Western is really coming along.

I'll get there and take some photos and see if I can find an opening date.

They are also starting to get somewhat serious at 23rd & Penn, but most that work will be inside.

How does a gym with benefits and pictures like this cost $9.99?

*edit*
or even 21.99 still seems like really good value. Perhaps LA has distorted my since of value?

How does a gym with benefits and pictures like this cost $9.99?

That's a starting price; it goes up from there depending on what amenities you want to use.

That's a starting price; it goes up from there depending on what amenities you want to use.

You beat me mid edit. The other packages don't seem bad either. Last legit gym I was at I was paying ~30 and it only came with weights.

I know places like 10 gym and PF exist. 10 gym seemed cramped, and PF doesn't have anything beyond weights. I'd gladly pay the extra price for open space and all the other stuff.

Location on S. Western just north of SW 44th nearing completion:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasa081719a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasa081719b.jpg

23rd & Penn:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasa091519a.jpg

I forgot all about this and now I'm really hyped again because I'm currently under contract on a house in Shepherd. This is awesome.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

These are for the southside location which opens Oct. 5th (from their FB page):

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasa092419a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasa092419b.jpg

Do we know if the 23rd/Penn location will have a pool?

Do we know if the 23rd/Penn location will have a pool?

It will. It's shown in their plans.

Anyone else care to guess how long it will last on the south side? Golds bought out my old gym at 89th/Shields and then closed the Golds less than 2 years later. The next closest locations are on 104th, so it feels like this was placed based on geography and not based on projected customer base.

23rd & Penn:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasa111019a.jpg

Hear anything about an expected opening date for this location?

Found it interesting on this post on Facebook everyone commenting how its a horrible location for a gym. not sure why they would think so considering the amount of people who live in this area.

Found it interesting on this post on Facebook everyone commenting how its a horrible location for a gym. not sure why they would think so considering the amount of people who live in this area.

I should do a regular running post about Facebook comments.

No matter what I post, no matter how cool or great -- and always representing a big investment and improvement to what was there before -- you get the immediate Old White People Gripes:

1. Area is crappy (no matter that is largely untrue and there is some big improvement happening)
2. Area is unsafe (great place for all the homeless/methheads/gangs)
3. Traffic will be terrible
4. We don't need it
5. Terrible use of government funds
6. I would never go there
7. This is ugly
8. Whatever they will sell, it will be too expensive


If anyone starts to feel OKCTalk is negative, just spend a little time on Facebook, Nextdoor, the comment section of the Oklahoman and just about anywehere else on the internet.

you are 100% correct. I usually don't read the OKCtalk facebook post comments for that reason. today I made that mistake and shook my head. i ready " terrible place for a Gym" and the poster is from newcastle? lol you do a bang up job though Pete!

^

Very, very rarely do I even engage people on social media. Once in a blue moon, I'll answer a question or add more info, especially when people are being ridiculous and making a bunch of false statements; but even then I just usually ignore.

It's not just the anonymity of it all, there is some very bizarre psychology that is revealed in social media. And I suspect there are just a lot of angry, bitter people and the electronic medium is more or less an unmasking. In other words, this is a better indication of the inner thoughts and feelings than in traditional social interaction where norms almost require a certain amount of what often is insincere politeness.

For the south side location, i still dont understand why that was a location chosen for the reasons i already gave. Maybe they think they'll get a lot of Integris staff??

But for this one, i think 23rd/Penn is a good spot. While the OCU students can a free workout on campus, it's a pretty small facility in the large gym and even smaller in the dorm side. So there are a lot of things in this facility that will be very nice for those. And you'll also get the benefit of the corporate folks down at Shepard/etc. I really wish i had one like this near me or at least on my way home again.

the southsize location was built as part of redevelopment of the Sears (or was it Target)? the 23rd location was the Buy 4 Less. I think it is in an excellent location, OCU and 39th Street are next door and lots of people in the inner city northside area. I wish Vasa would continue to invest/redevelop in OKC, one on the Eastside would be AWESOME!!! along with others ringing the inner city and one downtown. This would make a HUGE dent in OKC's unhealthy rankings as they use # of gyms/fitness centers as a gauge and just having the Y and Gold's Gym just isn't going to cut it.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/vasa120819a.jpg

For the south side location, i still dont understand why that was a location chosen for the reasons i already gave. Maybe they think they'll get a lot of Integris staff??

But for this one, i think 23rd/Penn is a good spot. While the OCU students can a free workout on campus, it's a pretty small facility in the large gym and even smaller in the dorm side. So there are a lot of things in this facility that will be very nice for those. And you'll also get the benefit of the corporate folks down at Shepard/etc. I really wish i had one like this near me or at least on my way home again.

I've pasted the Southside location twice this week at night and the parking lot was pretty full.

A friend of mine signed up at the Penn location and told me the expected opening date is Dec 20th. Not sure how accurate that is.

I live in the neighboring addition, Las Vegas, and am excited to switch from the Golds across the street to Vasa. I'm sure many others will be doing the same. Anyone suggesting that this location is bad is simply ignorant to the changing demographics of the surrounding neighborhoods.

^100% agree

They had all the lights on inside last night and looked to be testing equipment, TVs, etc., so they seem to be pretty far along at least in that main space. We stopped in their preview center last week and the person there also said late December, so the 20th sounds pretty reasonable.

To those that use BCBS's fitness program, the southside Vasa is included as an available gym, presumably this one will be as well. Looking forward to it opening.

They had all the lights on inside last night and looked to be testing equipment, TVs, etc., so they seem to be pretty far along at least in that main space. We stopped in their preview center last week and the person there also said late December, so the 20th sounds pretty reasonable.

To those that use BCBS's fitness program, the southside Vasa is included as an available gym, presumably this one will be as well. Looking forward to it opening.

I am really hoping it is included in the BCBS fitness program! that would be amazing for me!

I am really hoping it is included in the BCBS fitness program! that would be amazing for me!

Same! I can't see why it wouldn't be if the other Vasa is included but I am curious which membership level would be included. If it's the full package that includes the studio spin, etc. then it will truly be a heck of a deal!

Just a PSA: Semi-hidden in their pricing is a $49.95 "Rate Guarantee Fee" you have to pay every year or your rate could go up by 30%.

So, for someone opting for the $9.99 plan, which would be to $119.88 a year, that fee raises it to $169.83 a year (and that fee is charged in full 2 months after sign up, so your charge that month will be 6 times your plan that month). Probably still less than a lot of gyms, but that does make it 41% higher than what you might think you're signing up for at first. Looks like fee is the same for each tier, so, percentage wise, it's lower for the more expensive ones.

I was also told that the Pennsylvania location does not have Racquetball, even though it is listed on the membership amenities online when you have that location selected. It does have basketball, but I didn't ask about anything else that is listed, so if there is something else listed that you're specifically interested in for that location, you may want to double check they actually have it there before pulling the trigger.

USAA has a similar program to the BCBS and the Western location is included. I was planning to go that route to avoid the 49.95 fee. I only found out about the fee after getting to the check out online and decided to step back.

Do we know what level of membership is included in the BCBS/USAA plans?

I assumed it was the middle tier that is ~$23. I have not confirmed.

Just a PSA: Semi-hidden in their pricing is a $49.95 "Rate Guarantee Fee" you have to pay every year or your rate could go up by 30%.

So, for someone opting for the $9.99 plan, which would be to $119.88 a year, that fee raises it to $169.83 a year (and that fee is charged in full 2 months after sign up, so your charge that month will be 6 times your plan that month). Probably still less than a lot of gyms, but that does make it 41% higher than what you might think you're signing up for at first. Looks like fee is the same for each tier, so, percentage wise, it's lower for the more expensive ones.

I was also told that the Pennsylvania location does not have Racquetball, even though it is listed on the membership amenities online when you have that location selected. It does have basketball, but I didn't ask about anything else that is listed, so if there is something else listed that you're specifically interested in for that location, you may want to double check they actually have it there before pulling the trigger.

This type of yearly fee is not uncommon in low-monthly-rate gyms - I know at absolute minimum, in addition to Vasa, both Planet Fitness and 10GYM charge similar annual fees ($39 and $49.99, respectively). It's just the business model that most of these kind of places follow.

Just to confirm - Vasa's website says the new location is now open.

Also, re: the BCBS fitness program (and presumably other insurance fitness programs as well), I spoke with someone on the phone who said that it is the "fitness/$21.99/month" level that's included in the program but that you can upgrade to the "Studio" level and just pay the difference in price. The person I spoke with sounded confident that that was the case, so hopefully it is as that's what I'll probably end up doing.

This type of yearly fee is not uncommon in low-monthly-rate gyms - I know at absolute minimum, in addition to Vasa, both Planet Fitness and 10GYM charge similar annual fees ($39 and $49.99, respectively). It's just the business model that most of these kind of places follow.

Thank for the info. I hand't looked into the others. I figured there had to be some precedent for it, but didn't have that information myself.

It's funny, I guess they could raise the "rate guarantee fee", while keeping the monthly rate the same. lol.

The parking lot looked pretty full this morning.

I've been a couple of times. It's pretty nice. A lot of equipment and HUGE. Haven't done any of the classes yet and they're still working on the pool, but it's pretty nice.

https://i.imgur.com/gNef789.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/UtNPcsg.jpg

So is it confirmed that the 23rd and Penn location will be included in the BCBS plan? I'm extremely tempted to cancel my membership at the OUHSC gym and just use the BCBS fitness plan if this location is added.

So is it confirmed that the 23rd and Penn location will be included in the BCBS plan? I'm extremely tempted to cancel my membership at the OUHSC gym and just use the BCBS fitness plan if this location is added.
Yes, I was able to sign up under BCBS without paying anything extra. You get access to the Fitness plan which is the 21.99/ mo level.

My wife signed up under her employer's Active & Fit plan and it is at the same plan level. I've loved being a member there. Even though it's always packed, I've never had any issues getting on the equipment I need. The place is huge and offers so many options.

Yes, I was able to sign up under BCBS without paying anything extra. You get access to the Fitness plan which is the 21.99/ mo level.

Good to know - thanks! Hopefully BCBS updates their listings to include this location soon.

Good to know - thanks! Hopefully BCBS updates their listings to include this location soon.

You'll save some time if you say you're eligible for the "Silver Sneakers" program - which is what they actually enroll you in on the Vasa side of things with your Well OnTarget number. Granted I tried to join within days of them opening but I had to go in four times and call their headquarters before I could speak with someone who knew how to enroll BCBS folks. Hopefully it's going more smoothly now than when they first opened though!



Has anyone that joined through an insurance fitness program "upgraded" to the Studio plan? Curious if they make you pay the annual rate guarantee fee, etc. if you upgrade, as its kinda nice not having that extra payment.

Is there basketball courts open gym? How crowed does it get. Looking for a place where i can go shoot some hoops which i haven't done in years and maybe walk on treadmill a bit. Was thinking here or the Bethany YMCA has anyone tried that.

The basketball court is open. Every time I've been there it has been quite crowded.

The basketball court is open. Every time I've been there it has been quite crowded.

People just shooting hoops or actual games going on? I would be going around 11-2 in the afternoon

Looked like pick up games every time I've seen them playing, but that's typically been during a higher volume time. Not sure during the middle of the day.