Wellness Complex property could be redeveloped as housing, parking, new American Legion post

LACONIA — Property developer Glenn Ritter needs parking. American Legion Post 1 needs an accessible building. They just might be able to make a deal. The property containing The Wellness Complex, which burned about a year ago, could be redeveloped to accommodate both, if the dollars make sense.

The Wellness Complex has been closed since Nov. 27, 2024, when a fire erupted early in the morning, somewhere in the ceiling above the pool, shortly before 1:30 a.m.

Though the building is located directly across North Main Street from the Laconia Fire Department’s Central Station, and firefighters were able to respond immediately, the damage was already done. Upon their arrival to the scene, firefighters attacked from inside, but were forced to retreat when the ceiling began falling on them. They then fought it from outside, and it took about four hours to bring the fire under control.

Since then, the fitness facility at 827 N. Main St. — the only with a pool in the area — has been closed, and no clear idea for what could eventually replace the property owned by Charles Mabardy had been proposed. That is, until Ritter presented a concept to the planning board on Nov. 3.

Ritter’s concept is aspirational, and potentially just the right thing for the City of Laconia: 138 total units of housing — possibly one- and two-bedroom apartments — across three buildings, each with three commercial units underneath and a total of 220 parking spaces. On the same property, a new building for the American Legion, if they can agree to terms. 

The American Legion, located on an adjacent lot just north, is likely in need of a new clubhouse. Their existing footprint is old and is not accessible to the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. For example, one enters the building by way of steep staircases. Many Legionnaires are on the older side, and making the building accessible will ensure no one is excluded from participation.

At the planning board meeting and again in an interview, Ritter made it clear: his proposed purchase and redevelopment of 827 N. Main is “literally contingent” upon his ability to strike a deal with the Legion, a deal that’s of benefit to both parties, plus the community. Though the groups have engaged only in preliminary discussion, and Legion leaders would have to run any proposal through its membership, both sides appeared optimistic they could come to an agreement of mutual benefit. 

When The Wellness Complex burned, its owner contacted Ritter — who made a career in construction and development — and asked for advice. 

“We thought that it would be a good redevelopment for the city,” Ritter said Thursday. Ritter hopes to hypothetically take over some of the American Legon Post's land and would, in return, build them a new post. Such an arrangement could also solve problems of parking for both parties.

Mabardy, owner of 827 Main Street LLC, and past Wellness Complex manager George Kalil did not return requests for comment on this story. 

Before making a purchase, Ritter said he needs to work with Legion leaders, and ensure the project could move forward through the city’s Planning Board. He's not ready to invest in engineering services, for example, before he has a solid grasp of the project’s feasibility. 

Mark Vrooman, adjutant of American Legion Post 1, said Friday that speculation regarding a potential deal is premature, because all talks have been strictly preliminary and any decision would have to be brought before the “Legion family,” a reference to the American Legion membership itself plus the Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary, two umbrella organizations.

“Our membership gets a say,” Vrooman said. “What is clear is that we have an 80-year-old building.”

One thing that doesn’t require any speculation, however, is American Legion leadership needs, at the very least, to spend some money making improvements to their existing post. Renovations like electric upgrades, flooring work, and making the function hall more appealing. Those projects could be put on hold for a little while, but not forever. 

“The time is now that it needs to happen,” Vrooman said. 

The American Legion is, at its core, a community service organization. Vrooman said they’d be delighted to work out an arrangement to benefit both the Legion and the city, by creating an accessible building for them and lots of new housing for the broader population. They don’t have a hard-and-fast start date, he said, but it’s about time to make the renovations.

“Our conversations with [Ritter] so far have been incredibly productive,” Vrooman said.

“We’re on board with examining what makes the most sense for everybody.” 

“I think we have a lot more work to do,” Ritter said. “I think it’s a viable project.” 

Ritter hasn’t settled on a purchase price for 827 N. Main, either, and it’s too early to speculate on what a fair one might be. For what it’s worth, the most recent assessment of the property pegs it at just north of $1.4 million. 

“Hopefully it’ll be a win-win-win,” Ritter said.