Completion of power source enables LA Fitness to open

Menifee Mayor Neil Winter posted this photo of the new health club on his Facebook page.

City of Menifee officials praised the project developer and local utility company for their work in completing preparations for the opening of the LA Fitness health club, which opened its doors on Thursday in the Menifee Lakes Plaza at Newport Road and Antelope Road.

The health club, which is the first business to open in the new center, was originally expected to open during the summer but has faced delays, most recently in equipment installation needed by Southern California Edison to provide power to the huge facility, which includes a pool as well as many forms of workout equipment. Readers of Menifee 24/7 -- many of whom previously signed membership agreements -- have repeatedly asked for an opening date.

"The City is very excited for the residents of Menifee about the opening of the Menifee LA Fitness," wrote Gina Gonzalez, economic development manager, in an email. "The City is appreciative of the developer, Muirfield Properties, and our utility partner, Southern California Edison, who worked tirelessly together to get the center energized, which was a very large project for the agency.

"While some smaller projects take less time to energize a center, this project had a lot of moving components that required additional SCE staff time and power by SCE. We, again, are appreciative of the cooperative efforts of everyone."

A Chevron gas station and car wash is nearly completed at the other end of the center. Other businesses planned include Baron's Market, Cafe Rio, Jamba Juice, Raising Cane's, Kahoots Feed and Pet Store, Tuesday Morning and Banner Mattress.