World Gym Owner's Bankruptcy Case Likely Means No Refunds for Members

Plainfield World Gym members hoping for a refund of money they paid to the now-closed fitness center are likely out of luck.

Owner Jim Mecha filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy June 16, the same day he posted a sign in the front window of the 12337 S. Route 59 business saying it was temporarily closed.

Building owner Joe Ardovich learned of the legal action Thursday, when he received notification of the bankruptcy and of a creditors court hearing on July 28.

He said he's not holding out hope he'll see any money, either.

"We went out of our way to work with him," he said. "But from day one, we've had problems."

The gym opened less than a year ago, and at some point Mecha stopped paying rent and other expenses owed to Ardovich even though the business was thriving, Ardovich said. Although he would not reveal how much back rent is owed, Ardovich stressed he did not seek to close the gym; Mecha shut it on his own, he said.

Kurt Corrigan, a World Gym member who made advance payments to Mecha, said Thursday he was not surprised to learn of the bankruptcy case.

"Unfortunately, this seems to be the sign of the times," he said. "It's sad that this guy basically took a bunch of money, which [in my case] happened to be new memberships for [my] kids coming back from college."

Mecha, who is also a Farmers Insurance agent in Downers Grove, has not returned phone calls for comment.

According to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court letter, Mecha has owned 1440 Fitness Inc. in Downers Grove for eight years. In addition to World Gym in Plainfield, the corporation has at least two other World Gym franchises: one in Montgomery and the other Willowbrook. A fourth in Elgin closed in May.

Mecha, 1440 Fitness Inc. and the Willowbrook World Gym are also facing a trademark infringement lawsuit filed in April by 24 Hour Fitness. The details of that case could not be confirmed Thursday.

Ardovich said he did not know if Mecha's bankruptcy case will make it easier or more difficult for him to take possession of the Plainfield gym.

Earlier this week he said other fitness center operators have contacted him about taking over the site, and he'd like to cut a deal through which World Gym members could join the new gym without additional expense.