Dear LSU Health Fitness Community,

We hope that you and your family have continued to stay safe during these challenging times following Hurricane Ida and the ongoing public health crisis. 

Since 2017, when the LSU Health Foundation was invited to serve as an operator, our goal has been to manage a sustainable business that provides our members a place to meet their fitness goals with state-of-the-art equipment and caring staff on hand to help with all needs. We didn’t want to be just another gym but a place for the community to gather in a clean, safe, and welcoming environment.

As we’ve noted previously, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted our operations, only to be further exacerbated by the damage our facility has sustained because of Hurricane Ida. We’ve frozen all current memberships and have not accepted any new ones. 

Financially, our situation has been dire for far too long. While there have been glimmers of hope throughout this challenging time, unfortunately, there have been too many logistical and monetary hurdles to jump to continue to move forward.

That is why it is with deep sadness and very heavy hearts that, today, we are announcing that the LSU Health Foundation will no longer operate the LSU Health Fitness Center effective in six months. As we begin this transition, our facility will remain open for physical therapy and to the New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy. 

We sincerely hoped that we could have avoided this outcome, but it was clear that without sufficient funding that we would not be able to sustain the business to the standards our community deserves. We had no other choice but to make this difficult and painful decision. 

We will have more information in the coming months as we continue our limited operations and support the Algiers Development District with this transition.

Thank you for your understanding. 

Sincerely, 

— The LSU Health Fitness Center Team