One of Bermuda’s longest running gyms is to close following a merger with a competitor.

The Olympic Club in Hamilton is to shut its doors, with its lease due to expire in the next few months.

The club on Hamilton’s Dundonald Street, operated by Scott Stallard, joined forces with Kym Herron Scott’s The Athletic Club, on nearby Washington Street, just two months ago.

Ms Herron Scott said the lease on the building, which was sold by Mr Stallard two years ago to next-door-neighbours, dental practice Smile Inc, would expire in April.

She said: “With the lease being up, we’ve decided to start the transition now. We will be doing some renovations at The Athletic Club and the best of the equipment will be coming here.”

Ms Herron Scott said that The Athletic Club would offer more classes, services and products and absorb the Olympic Club staff in one location.

Mr Stallard, who ran the Olympic Club for nearly 25 years and sold the building two years ago, said he had stepped away after the merger and planned to concentrate on his photographic career.

He added: “I want to move on, get back to travel and expeditions.”

Mr Stallard said: “In this day and age, there way too many clubs in Bermuda and it made sense to merge the two. It’s sad to see change, but it’s sometimes the wise thing to do in business.”

Ms Herron Scott added that the Athletic Club’s special all-inclusive $125 a month rate had been extended to the end of this month.

She added new price list had been introduced at The Athletic Club and Olympic Club members had until January 31 to make up their minds if they wanted to move to the Washington Street gym.