Total Fitness Biggera Waters to rebuild after alleged arson attack

The owners of a new Gold Coast gym, targeted by arson just weeks before opening, have opened up on how ‘devastating’ it was. Read what they said

Total Fitness Biggera Waters was targeted in arson attack in February. Picture Glenn Hampson

Owners of a new Gold Coast gym – targeted in an alleged arson weeks before its opening – say they will rebuild as police reveal they fear a gym arson fatal at some point.

Police allege a car was deliberately driven through the entrance of Total Fitness Biggera Waters about 2am on Sunday, February 22.

Two men were seen exiting the vehicle, with one allegedly carrying a jerry can.

“We were just weeks away from opening when this devastating attack happened,” a spokesman for Total Fitness said in the first public statement from the business.

“It completely blindsided us and for a while we were genuinely in shock.”

Workers were called in to clean smoke damage at neighbouring businesses. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The blaze caused significant damage to the Brisbane Rd premises with neighbouring businesses also affected by smoke damage. Despite the setback, Total Fitness is standing by its multimillion-dollar investment into the Gold Coast with repairs underway.

“We’ve had police, city leaders and even the Premier himself reach out. That kind of backing has fuelled our resolve to push forward,” the spokesman said.

“Prior to the arson incident we were already in the process of creating and implementing community initiatives designed to give back and support local initiatives. Our work in this area has now intensified.

“We’ve committed to sponsoring two local sports clubs and are offering complimentary memberships to our region’s real-life heroes – including police officers, firefighters, military personnel and veterans.”

A new opening date is still being finalised – with the company planning to open multiple sites across the city in coming years.

Damage left behind from the fire.

Firefighters on scene at Total Fitness Biggera Waters in February. Pictures: Supplied.

The motivation for the alleged arson remains unclear – police were working to determine the identity of the two offenders seen leaving at the time the fire broke out.

Acting Gold Coast Chief Superintendent Peter Miles said: “We know there are interests from outlaw motorcycle gangs, (they) have interest in gyms. We know extortion is part of their business as usual model, we know competition does create issues for them.

“We’re looking at all avenues and all lines of inquiry. A lot of these gyms are 24/7, I don’t want to be in a situation where somebody might be out the back and all of a sudden we’re looking at a fatality in one of these fires.

“These clowns, they don’t think – they do the job and don’t think of the consequences, so this is serious.”

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said investigations are continuing.

Originally published as Total Fitness Biggera Waters to rebuild after alleged arson attack