The former Hy-Vee store on Collins Road in northeast Cedar Rapids is being repurposed as a VASA Fitness center.
A page on the VASA Fitness website indicates their new location at 279 Collins Road NE is “coming soon.” A VASA spokesperson said that while an official opening date hasn’t yet been announced, the company expects to open the Cedar Rapids location in late September.
The Hy-Vee Collins Road store opened in 1985 and closed Jan. 9, 2022. It has since stood vacant.
According to records from the Cedar Rapids Assessor’s Office, the former Hy-Vee building was purchased for $4 million in January by an entity identified as “Lindale Fitness LLC.” The property’s total assessed value was $2,341,800.
The VASA spokesperson outlined the features of the 63,000-square-foot location via email, indicating the facility will offer “a wide range of on-trend activities, from “a performance lifting area to an invigorating group and STUDIO fitness classes — featuring STUDIO LFT strength training, STUDIO RED cardio, STUDIO FLOW infrared yoga, resort-style amenities, hot tub, cold plunge, steam room, sauna, and 70+ group fitness classes.” Membership rates will start at $15 per month, the spokesperson said.
A building permit issued in March for the structure identifies a number of features of the new gym facility, including a pool area, spa and cold plunge, steam room, sauna, locker rooms, weight areas, free weights, Olympic lifting, cardio, sprint turf, basketball, functional training, group fitness, studio areas, massage, light therapy, recovery, child care, offices and storage areas.
Demolition work for the building includes new partitions, layout changes, electrical, plumbing and HVAC work, structural modifications including roof work, a new fire alarm system, and new fire sprinkler system, according to the building permit record.
VASA Fitness, founded in 1996 and rebranded in 2014, has more than 72 locations in eight states, including Colorado, Utah, Oklahoma, Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Nebraska. The company operated as Gold’s Gym, with 17 locations, until 2014, when it was acquired by Silver Oak Services Partners and rebranded as VASA Fitness.
The new fitness facility will be located less than a half mile from Planet Fitness, which opened its location in the Lindale Mall in November 2021.
