MEXICO — When the Board of Selectmen accepted a revised payment proposal from Rich Viitala Jr. of Fire & Iron Athletics last April, the goal was to bring in $3,000 for the year.

However, the business, which is leasing space at the Recreation Center and using fitness equipment owned by the town, is falling well short of that goal.

At their meeting Tuesday, selectmen decided to wait until March to decide the fate of the fitness center.

Viitala explained what has transpired since April.

“Basically I let my ego and my pride take over,” he said. “I carried off from last year, thinking we’re going to go up, we’re going to succeed and keep going, and we didn’t. Instead of stopping and saying we need to work it out and change the plan, I didn’t. I just said, ‘I can fix it.'”

Viitala submitted a check for $1,465 this week, which, combined with the $600 paid in January, totals $2,065 over 10 months.

The payment proposal presented and approved April 14 consisted of a $1,500 flat rate every six months, amounting to $250 per month. Viitala also maintains his insurance, and has taken over paying for cleaning supplies, as well as routine maintenance of the equipment.

Viitala said the number of memberships was lower in part because of the warmer weather, which has kept people outside. He said he still has some loyal clientele who paid in advance for memberships.

“In all aspects, I feel like a failure — but I’m not because I’m not giving up,” he said. “I’m going to continue to try to make this work because every time I want to give up, I see one or two people making a drastic change in their life for the better, which carries forth how they view the community.”

Board of Selectmen Chairman Richie Philbrick said, “I don’t want to see us shut the doors. I’d like to see us evaluate it again and if it doesn’t pan out, then put a kibosh to it.”

Town Manager John Madigan added, “No one is beating the doors down” to rent space in the Recreation Center.

He said that typically, the rent is $5 per square foot in the building. The cardio and weight room, and the office of Fire & Iron Athletics consists of two classrooms and a smaller room.

Going forward, Viitala said he would like to meet with the board quarterly. He said he will also meet with a financial adviser.

Selectman Reggie Arsenault suggested that the board extend the lease to at least March.

“If we don’t see an improvement, then we can close it,” he said.

Selectman Byron Ouellette agreed, but wanted it give Viitala until spring.

Arsenault made a motion to re-evaluate the lease of Fire & Iron Athletics until the third week in March. It was seconded and approved, 4-0.

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