Kristin LaMoure, founder and previous owner of Sequim Gym, sold her business to Kevin Pedrey at the beginning of the year. The sale took about three months to finalize, but for Pedrey, the purchase of Sequim Gym concludes a two-year search for an ideal platform to fully pursue his dream of running a fitness and wellness center.

“I had decided if the right person came along, I would think about selling it,” LaMoure said. “I just felt really good about Kevin and felt he truly understood what I had started.”

Pedrey, a 2000 Port Angeles high school graduate, explored a variety of career interests following his stint with the Marine Corps, but eventually found himself pursuing a growing passion of his – massage therapy. By 2012, Pedrey had founded Northwest Massage and Holistic Healing Center in Port Angeles and plans to maintain both businesses while expanding his massage practice into Sequim as well.

Throughout the month, Sequim Gym will continue to undergo minor remodeling and improvements, but will remain open, Pedrey said. In order to streamline the gym’s key card access system, Pedrey will be knocking down some dividing walls. He also expects to update the paint, lighting and add additional mirrors in the weight room.

“We’re doing a lot of improvements to become more of a wellness as well as fitness center,” Pedrey said. “I want this place to be a hub for people to come get information and resources on health and wellness.”

For Pedrey, Sequim Gym offers him the space and tools to expand and fully utilize the years of training he’s had, he said. Pedrey’s diverse skill set as a personal trainer, herbalist and massage therapist specialized in active isolated stretching, were all reasons LaMoure originally had wanted to hire Pedrey before he offered to buy the gym, she said.

While maintaining the gym’s 24-hour fitness center, Pedrey also will offer a wide range of services, including personal training and nutrition consultation and massage therapy. Additionally, Pedrey is interested in hosting different professions, such as chiropractors, nurses and other health care professionals to speak and give educational seminars.

Lisa Pedrey, the gym’s new marketing, sales and member relations specialist and Pedrey’s sister, will be developing classes and community events such as runs, weight-loss programs, boot camps and possibly host clubs, like hiking, biking or walking groups.

To better meet the needs of the working community and younger demographic, evening classes will be offered in addition to the gym’s morning and afternoon classes.

“We really want it to become a place where everyone feels like they can come and learn about their fitness and wellness needs,” Pedrey said.

During LaMoure’s nine years as the gym’s owner, one of her biggest goals was to create a gym where all members could feel comfortable, but also a place athletes could take seriously, she said. Knowing Pedrey felt similarly about the importance of a welcoming atmosphere made it a bit easier for LaMoure to decide to sell.

“I couldn’t quite give it up yet, but I felt it was perfect timing because school was getting harder and I wouldn’t be able to give the gym all that it needed during the last two quarters,” LaMoure said. “After raising four kids, I watched them work full-time and get their degrees. It inspired me to go back to school.”

Having always dreamt of receiving a formal education to build on her passion for community health and wellness, LaMoure decided to pursue nursing. If all goes accordingly, at age 52, LaMoure expects to graduate in June as a registered nurse.

Working around her class schedule, LaMoure will continue to teach select classes at Sequim Gym and train a few clients. “I think it’s a win, win, win,” LaMoure said. “It’s a win for me, Kevin and the community … I still get to be involved with the gym, the gym is going to get better and it has a excited new owner.”

Pedrey anticipates to have a soft, grand opening within the next couple weeks and encourages interested individuals to call (681-2555) or check in with gym staff for more details.

Sequim Gym

Phone: 681-2555

Location: 145 E. Washington St.

Hours: Customer services available 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday. Otherwise gym is open 24/7 with key card access.

More info: Visit www.sequimgym.com or e-mail owner Kevin Pedrey at kevin@northwest-massage.com.