Almost three years after a fire caused heavy damage, the Aquatic Fitness Center will not reopen.
The center, at 3600 Grant Ave., has been closed since a March 2017 four-alarm fire, caused by a roofer’s blowtorch.
About 100 patrons and employees escaped the late-morning fire without major injury.
At the time, Matt Littman, president and CEO of AFC Fitness, issued a statement that stated, in part, “we’re committed to rebuilding our Northeast Philadelphia location.”
However, last Friday, the AFC Fitness management team wrote a letter to “Our Wonderful AFC Grant Avenue Community.” The team said it tried to rebuild, working with architects and space planners and battling an insurance company.
“The insurance company was simply not willing to give us what was needed to make it financially feasible to rebuild,” the letter said.
The letter suggested that members who join AFC locations in Feasterville or Bala Cynwyd will be given discounted rates. ••
