2007 PRESS RELEASES

March 29, 2007
WASHINGTON HEALTH CLUB CLOSES IN HAYMARKET; ELIGIBLE MEMBERS MUST FILE FOR REFUNDS BY JUNE 1, 2007
Contact: Marion Horsley, 804.225.3820

According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Washington Health Club, a health spa located at 15125 Washington Street, Haymarket, Virginia, closed recently. Eligible members of this health spa who believe they might be due refunds have until June 1, 2007 to file claims.

The Virginia Health Spa Act (Act) specifies that if a health spa goes out of business and does not provide its members with comparable alternate facilities within five driving miles of the location designated in the health spa contract, all contracts are automatically canceled and eligible members are entitled to receive a prorated refund of the unexpired portion of the contract.

According to the Act, it is the responsibility of the health spa to issue refunds to eligible members within 30 days of the closure of the spa. However, Washington Health Club has filed for bankruptcy and will be unable to issue the refunds. To protect consumers in the event that a spa closes and is unable to make refunds to its members, the Act requires health spas to file surety with VDACS’ Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA). When a health spa closes and does not provide refunds to its members, OCA’s standard procedure is to submit a claim to the surety provider for funds to make prorated refunds to eligible members for the unexpired portion of their contracts.

Members who believe they are due refunds should contact OCA to file for any refund due. Members must establish eligibility for a refund by submitting a copy of their contract, proof of payment and a completed Health Spa Refund Request form. Click here, or call the Department's toll-free Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-552-9963. Press “1” to be connected with a telephone counselor.

For additional information, contact VDACS’ Investigator Demetrice Christmas at 1.800.552.9963, extension 61702.