New Meridian Fitness celebrated its “grand re-opening” Saturday, Jan. 7, to mark a 1,300-square-foot expansion. The addition brings the gym’s total space to 3,600 square feet.
Owner John DiPatre took over the existing facility in August 2021, remodeled, painted and revamped it and added new equipment. As social restrictions due to the pandemic eased, people began to get out more and DiPatre saw his business grow quickly.
In addition to the standard cardio equipment, selectorized machines, free weights and Smith machine, New Meridian offered personal training, massage, acupuncture, needling and cupping. It quickly became apparent that more space was needed.
“We had the need to expand, because when we’re busy, especially in the morning when all the trainers are here, we were stepping all over each other,” said DiPatre.
Fortunately, an adjoining space became available.
It required a lot of renovation: removing portions of the wall, constructing an office area, installation of Astroturf in one area, building a counter and shelves and more. All of that work was completed in just three weeks, and it was all the work of one man: Robert English, also known as the “Gym Whisperer” due to his gym-design and maintenance skills.
“All of my family are carpenters and mechanics and stuff like that,” English said. “I grew up knowing how to do that stuff.”
DiPatre is pleased with the result.
“It would not have happened without him,” DiPatre said of English. “He is awesome.”
Another key person in the gym’s success has been Angela Richmond, DiPatre’s girlfriend. Richmond, a nurse who earned her personal trainer certification in 2018, has always been an athlete and helped DiPatre get his business rolling during its first year. With the addition of personal trainers Caroline Jenney, Matt and Lindsey Hendrick and Bruce Jackson, she has been able to step back a bit, though she is thinking about offering classes at the gym in the near future.
Saturday, she joined DiPatre in welcoming visitors to the celebration.
“It’s very exciting,” she said. “I feel like it fits in with Ponte Vedra. It’s very modern, upscale, boutique-style. It’s very welcoming when you walk in.”
The expansion has allowed the addition of a second shower and bathroom, a protein supplement bar, new cardio equipment, a sled, a preacher curl bench, more dumbbells, Olympic plates and a big-screen TV. There’s more room for athletic training, stretching and working on abs.
In addition, David Brown is the massage therapist at New Meridian, and chiropractor Alexis Piarulli has a practice at the facility.
New Meridian Fitness is open 24 hours a day. It is located at 820 State Road A1A North, suites W20 and W21, Ponte Vedra. That’s at the north end of the courtyard inside The Veranda office complex.
For further information, go to thenewmeridianfitness.com.
