The Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland reopens shortly after a former employee’s car bombing caused damage, surprising members with the swift recovery efforts.
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Multnomah Athletic Club in Southwest Portland has reopened nearly two weeks after a car bombing caused extensive damage to the building.
Authorities said it was earlier this month when former employee Bruce Whitman, 49, drove a car through the front doors of the club. The vehicle was loaded with explosives, including 20 propane tanks and 10 pipe bombs. Whitman died after some of the explosives detonated.
On Wednesday, the club began the first phase of reopening, allowing members to return for the first time since the bombing.
“This is my gym; this is where I work out. I love shooting hoops and going to the restaurants after with my buddies, so I’m thrilled to be back,” said Andrew Keller.
General manager Charles Leverton said members played a major role in helping the club reopen quickly. He said a crowd of about 50 people was waiting to get inside when the doors reopened.
Some members said the closure disrupted long-standing routines.
“It was my routine. I’m down here five days a week,” member Scott Cress said. “Suddenly, it’s gone. It was only for 10 days or so. You would have thought I lost my best friend or something.”
Others said they were surprised by how quickly the club reopened.
“I was devastated. I thought the club was going to be closed for a lot longer than it was closed for,” said Keller.
“It was great how quickly they got it back together considering what could have happened,” another member said.
“Had the guy detonated those bombs, we wouldn’t have gotten in here for a year,” said Mike Scheehan another club member.
In a statement, Leverton said, “We’re incredibly grateful for the extraordinary efforts of our staff, first responders, restoration crews, contractors and partners who helped make today possible.”
He went on to say that they are prioritizing the safety of members and its employees before opening the rest of the athletic club.
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