McCarran fitness club approved

A deal landed Tuesday with a California-based fitness club will allow travelers and airport employees to work out during their spare time in a 12,000-square-foot gym in the basement of McCarran International Airport.

County commissioners voted 6-1 to allow 24 Hour Fitness to begin moving into the room below the north ticketing area that was expanded last year.

Commissioner Lance Malone, the sole opposing vote, questioned whether other fitness companies were given a fair shot at the opportunity.

"Time is not of the essence," Malone said. "We should have contacted the decision makers at the Las Vegas Athletic Club."

Airport director Randy Walker said a survey was sent to the 10,000 employees at McCarran asking them whether they were members of a fitness club and, if so, which one. He said the majority belonged to 24 Hour Fitness or the Las Vegas Athletic Club.

Walker said he contacted the Las Vegas Athletic Club but was not certain whether the offer reached people with decision-making authority.

"They expressed some interest of late, but because they did not show up today, I can't say what their interest may or may not be," Walker told the commission.

Commissioner Mary Kincaid said she was concerned that the county did not put out a request for proposals, even though it is not required for such a project. Kincaid said she was uneasy about voting because of the recent controversy over the method in which airport concession contracts are awarded.

"I don't feel comfortable because I don't want to read in the headlines that somebody knew somebody," Kincaid said.

Walker said requests for proposals weren't necessary because the gym is a customer-service facility, not a money-making venture for the county. In addition, 24 Hour Fitness was the first club to approach the airport.

Bob Dennis, spokesman for 24 Hour Fitness, said the gym will include cardiovascular machines, free weights and perhaps aerobics classes, massages and a spa. The facility could be finished in six months.

With the approval of the deal, the county will spend $900,000 refurbishing the airport room. In return, 24 Hour Fitness will pay the county 10 percent of its revenue, which could equal about $200,000 a year.

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