Questions Remain In Closing Of Cary Health Club

The health club chain Beyond Fitness is already the target of 257 complaints with the Better Business Bureau and an investigation by North Carolina's attorney general. The latest closing comes after the company suddenly closed its Spring Forest location and after memberships were sold for a Wake Forest location that never opened.

A steady stream of members showed up at Beyond Fitness' location in Cary's Waverly Place Friday, wanting to know what happened. New signs posted said managers hope to have the issue resolved "within the next 5 to 10 business days."

"I know they had some troubles recently, but I did not expect it to be completely closed," said member Eileen Hamilton.

Some of the troubles came to a head Thursday morning when Wake County sheriff's deputies arrived with an eviction order, told members and employees to leave, then locked the doors.

The landlord's attorney said Randall Rohm, who's listed in related paperwork as everything from the facility's manager to president to chief operating officer, owes a "significant" amount of rent.

Randall Rohm's mother, Peggy Rohm, was one of the employees ordered to leave. She called WRAL's Five on Your Side Thursday to say he no longer owns the health club and that they are "just regular employees."

The state attorney general's office said Randall Rohm signed the bonds that allow Beyond Fitness to operate. They also said that in their 1 ½-year-long investigation, the office has dealt with Beyond Fitness' attorneys and Randall Rohm. The landlord's attorney also said their dealings involve Randall Rohm.

When WRAL tried to talk with Randall Rohm in Cary, he sped away. No one answered the door at his North Raleigh home, and he didn't return WRAL's calls.

To many members of the Cary club, the concern isn't as much about who's to blame as it is about getting what they paid for.

"I think you pay less here, but I guess you get what you pay for," said Hamilton. "But right now, you're still paying and you're not getting a service at all."

Peggy Rohm said Beyond Fitness members could use other locations until the Cary issue is resolved. When asked whom she believes is in charge, she declined comment.