2008 PRESS RELEASES
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June 24, 2008
FRONT ROYAL FITNESS CENTER CLOSES; ELIGIBLE MEMBERS MUST FILE FOR REFUNDS BY SEPTEMBER 26, 2008
Contact: Marion Horsley, 804.225.3820
According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Front Royal Fitness Center, a health spa located at 460-S Commerce Avenue, Front Royal, Virginia, closed on May 21, 2008. Eligible members of this health spa who believe they might be due refunds have until September 26, 2008 to file claims.
The Virginia Health Spa Act (Act) specifies that if a health spa goes out of business and does not provide its members with comparable alternate facilities within five driving miles of the location designated in the health spa contract, all contracts are automatically canceled and eligible members are entitled to receive a prorated refund of the unexpired portion of the contract.
According to the Act, it is the responsibility of the health spa to issue refunds to eligible members within 30 days of the closure of the spa. The Act also requires health spas to file surety with VDACS’ Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) to protect consumers in the event that a spa closes and is unable to make refunds to its members.
Front Royal Fitness Center notified OCA that it has filed for bankruptcy and will be unable to issue refunds. Therefore, OCA will follow its standard procedure and submit a claim to the surety provider for funds to make prorated refunds to eligible members for the unexpired portion of their contracts.
Members who believe they are due refunds should contact OCA to file for any refund due. Members must establish eligibility for a refund by submitting a copy of their contract, proof of payment and a completed Health Spa Refund Request form. The form is available by clicking here, or through the Department's toll-free Consumer Protection Hotline at 1.800.552.9963. Press “1” to be connected with a telephone counselor.
For additional information, contact VDACS’ Investigator Sandra Harrington at 1.800.552.9963, extension 54601.