ODESSA, Texas — Ten years ago, Laura and Jason Payne opened the doors to their own gym in Odessa. The couple's dream came into fruition and years later it would be where their daughter would grow up. They would then form a community of gym-goers they consider part of the "Payne Family."
On Sunday, July 14, things took a tragic turn after a major fire broke out at Town and Country Shopping Center. Two businesses were considered a total loss, including Payne's Gym.
"We were actually at church when members called us to tell us that it was on fire," Laura Payne said. "They went straight into action; they used the fire extinguishers and did what they could. They got everybody out. I'm so thankful for those members and for all the hard work they did..."
The fire broke out at 9 a.m., the Payne Family arrived quickly and watched for hours as it burned to the ground.
According to Jason Payne, all of the equipment that covered nearly 16,000 square feet was left damaged, to the point of no return. That includes cardio and lifting equipment, every piece worth hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
"It's not so much about the equipment, it's about the people and our family we don't know when we'll see again," said Kylie Payne, their daughter who grew up spending a lot of her time at her parent's gym.
The following day, the family returned to pick up the pieces of broken glass and to see what remained.
"We have a 1500 pound stone tablet with the 10 Commandments on it, and it made it," Jason Payne said.
"Our Ten Commandments survived," Laura Payne said. "So we have it, that's the only thing that survived and so you know God's hand was a part of it."
With help from other local businesses who worked out at Payne's Gym, the tablet was carried out by a handful of friends they consider part of the "Payne Family."
"Even from the beginning when we started the gym, we had the Community help us build it," Jason Payne said. "We didn't do it ourselves. We couldn't have done it ourselves. We had family and the help of the community and help build it and now they're here to help us at the end."
"It's the end," Laura Payne said with hesitation.
According to the Payne Family, the business was covered under insurance. They are putting a pause on reopening or starting a new location up until then.
When asked what the family accomplished after ten years, Kylie Payne said, "Our family."
"We've accomplished a huge family. We've helped a lot of people through their fitness journeys...," Laura Payne said. "We've had a lot of people just come in here and transform their lives.... We got to see families and individuals struggle throughout their weight loss journey or fitness journey, but to see the reward in the end, it's wonderful."
The Payne Family expressed their gratitude to local businesses such as Yoked Fitness, Classic Iron and Flex, who have opened their doors to Payne's Gym members.
"I would just ask for prayers," Laura Payne said. "We're going to try to take care of our employees the best that we can right now... All we ask is for love and support and prayers. That's all we can ask for right now."