Ballard's Olympic Athletic Club Sued for Refusing to Honor Lifetime Memberships
December 9, 2011 — Three members of Ballard's Olympic Athletic Club filed a class action lawsuit today against the club's owners for refusing to honor lifetime memberships that the club sold in the 1980s. John Ruebel, Tobi Goldman, and Kevin Van Ness are asking the King County Superior Court to rule that Olympic Athletic Club must continue honoring the contracts of all lifetime members, many of whom have been with the club for 30 years.
Lifetime members first learned of the club's decision to terminate their lifetime memberships in a letter they received at the end of November. The letter, which was signed by the club's general manager, states that Olympic Athletic Club has been sold and the new owner, as part of the purchase, did not agree to service the lifetime memberships.
The lawsuit questions whether the purported sale was for the purpose of avoiding the club's obligation to honor the lifetime memberships. Olympic Athletic Club was founded in 1979 by James and Debera Riggle. According to records on the Secretary of State's website, the Riggles are officers in the company that is alleged to be the new owner of Olympic Athletic Club.
News of the club's decision did not sit well with lifetime members. When the memberships were originally sold in the 1980s, they cost as much as $5,000 each. Purchasers were told that they would be members were for life, that they would never have to pay dues, and that they could sell, will, or transfer their memberships. Plaintiff John Ruebel says, "I have been a loyal member of Olympic Athletic Club for 30 years. I am extremely disappointed that one of Ballard's longstanding businesses is breaking its promise to me and other lifetime members. You might expect something like this from a national chain, but not Ballard's local health club."
Toby Marshall, who represents the lifetime members, says: "We allege Olympic Athletic Club's refusal to honor lifetime memberships is unfair and deceptive. When our clients purchased memberships described as ‘lifetime' and paid substantial compensation for those memberships, they had every right to expect the club would honor its contracts. Many lifetime members have been involved with the club since it first opened its doors, and their support has been crucial to the club's success."
Questions regarding the lawsuit and requests for a copy of the complaint may be directed to the attorney representing the members:
Toby J. Marshall
Terrell Marshall Daudt & Willie PLLC
(206) 816‐6603
email