Closed swim club sued

LACONIA — One of the Laconia Athletic Swim Club’s creditors has filed suit in Belknap County Superior Court claiming the club and its owners have not paid for some of their leased workout equipment in 10 months.

Siemen’s Financial Services claims it entered into a lease agreement with the club and its owners, Thomas and Laurie Oakley, for certain Cybex and Kelser fitness equipment for 60 months at a payment of $2,015.47 monthly.

Siemen’s says it demanded payment by letter on May 21 and, pursuant to the lease, says the Laconia Athletic Swim Club owes them $52,259.54 plus a per diem charge of $20.98, payable from Sept. 23 until the balance is paid. The lease company is asking the court to award damages in this amount plus legal fees.

Siemen’s claims that both Thomas and Laurie Oakley jointly and severally agreed to perform all of the obligations under the terms of the lease and two counts of the suit are directed at them personally.

Siemen’s is also demanding the immediate return of all its equipment, fearing that it may be destroyed, damaged or used and depreciated to the point where it is useless financially to the creditor.

Siemen’s is also claiming unjust enrichment by the Laconia Athletic Swim Club and the Oakleys as they have been taking in membership dues but not making their lease payments.

On Thanksgiving Day, the Oakleys closed the club and sent emails to all of the members. Recently, Thomas Oakley told The Daily Sun that he had procured a $50,000 bond from the state and will reimburse all of the members who are owed refunds. He had hoped to reopen the club quickly, but did not answer a request to update The Sun on the progress of the effort to reopen.