Gold's Gym To Survive Google Expansion In Venice Beach
VENICE (CBS) — Internet search giant Google is denying any plans to uproot one of the city's most iconic workout spots along Venice Beach.
KNX 1070's Margret Carrero reports bodybuilders at Gold's Gym have voiced concern they may have to find a new place to pump iron.
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The boardwalk community known for its eclectic mix of beach bums, street vendors and bohemian artists has been abuzz ever since Google announced plans to expand its current 100,000-square-foot facility.
Spokesman Jordan Newman said that despite the acquisition of over another 100,000 square feet of buildings, the company has no plans to muscle out the 31,000-square-foot landmark facility that gave rise to bodybuilding champ and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Longtime Gold's member Marty Katin heard a similar assessment.
"They're gonna take over another string of these buildings, which this building's included, but they're gonna let Gold's stay," he said.
Schwarzenegger himself told the New York Times that while he understands why some are "freaking out" about the expansion, he remains skeptical that the place he calls "the mecca of bodybuilding" will ever be uprooted.
Newman said the company is working with Gold's to put together a lease that would keep the gym open for years to come.
And for resident Chuck Crawl, who lives just one block away, that's welcome news.
"It's just the fact that it's high ceilings, there's no air conditioning, it's fresh air," he said. "It's really an invigorating environment to work out in."
