LEWISTON – Fitness World, a popular fitness center on outer Main Street, went out of business at midnight Thursday, surprising some members, including some who had prepaid memberships or had recently signed memberships.

A note taped on the door of the business, located behind the Marden’s plaza, said “insurmountable financial problems” had forced the closure. The note said the owner of the Health Club and Spa at 1977 Lisbon Road in Lewiston was considering taking over the business and would accept Fitness World members.

Lisa Fontaine, owner of Health Club and Spa, said Friday she was offering a 30-day free trial membership for Fitness World members and said once she receives financial information from Fitness World owner Thomas T.C. Matthews, she is hopeful she can reopen the facility under her company’s name.

“I can’t take on another 800 members at my place,” said Fontaine. But saying residents deserve a facility where Fitness World is located, she added, ” I cannot let that place close.”

Fontaine said that because of the debt she would likely be assuming if she takes over the club, she won’t be able to honor the memberships already paid by current members, although she would try to give discounts to current members. “Unfortunately I would be acquiring the debt but not the profit (Matthews made from the paid memberships).”

Fontaine said that as a fellow business owner, she felt bad for Matthews, but also sympathized with the 60 to 70 angry Fitness World members who called her facility Friday looking for another place to exercise.

Matthews could not be reached for comment. A year ago April the facility began opening 24 hours a day, and Matthews had told the Sun Journal he was planning to expand equipment, classes and staff this year.

One frustrated Fitness World member who called the Sun Journal on Friday said she was paid up until July 2010, a loss of more than $200. The caller, who declined to be identified, said she had six or seven friends who had also paid in advance.

Gym member Stacy Fournier of Turner said she worked out at the gym Thursday morning, and watched as new members signed up and paid their dues. She told the Sun Journal in an e-mail that she is a stay-at-home mom of four, and that in January 2008 she paid $800 for a lifetime membership but got just 18 months’ membership for that price.

“My sister and friend joined like this as well,” Fournier wrote, and “we deserve at least a partial refund.”

The women chose this particular gym to join because it offered day care as part of its membership fee.

The Web site for Fitness World carries a notice to members announcing the closure, and directing members to contact The Health Club & Spa in Lewiston.