Local business owners Matt and Megan Saxsma, along with Karl and Shawn Backs, are planning to open Carpe Diem CrossFit. The project broke ground last week and a 10,000-square-foot facility is under construction at 4600 Alex Blvd. in Springfield.
“This is something that has been in the works since last November,” said Matt Saxsma, who owns Redefine Healthcare, a direct primary care practice, along with his wife, Megan. “Karl and I looked at all the available warehouse and commercial space on the market.” Saxsma noted that the property is located in an Enterprise Zone and the resulting tax incentives and property tax abatement “made new construction very attractive and financially feasible.”
“Building from scratch gave us the opportunity to do everything we’d want in a facility,” he said. The gym will include 7,000 square feet of fitness floor space, plus traditional health club amenities such as locker rooms and showers. In addition, Dr. Ian Phlug will have his chiropractic office inside the facility.
Saxsma said he hopes the new facility will appeal to a wide range of people who are interested in “functional fitness.”
“We want to be able to offer this to all ages – it could be the student athlete, or the grandma who wants to be able to get up off the floor. It will be tailored to the person, not the activity,” said Saxsma.
“Ideally, we will finish construction mid- to late December with an opening date in mid-January,” he said. Ashley Drabicki has been hired as the facility manager.
