SKOWHEGAN -- The owner of Spartan Gym on Main Street has visions of making it a gathering place for young people interested in fitness and weightlifting.

"A lot of students come here now. Right after high school gets out, this place is full," said Rick Pease, who with his wife, Laurie, and children, Rikki and Zoe, opened the gym last month in the Skowhegan Plaza.

Pease said they purchased a lot of free weight equipment, along with treadmills, stationary bicycles, stair climbers and bench presses, along with another dozen fitness machines.

He pointed to a boxing area and grappling in one corner that already is drawing strong interest from the younger set.

"It's set up as a boxing area, so we could put a ring around it. It's real popular. Everybody is into the UFC," Pease said of Ultimate Fighting Championship, a U.S.-based sport that mixes boxing and wrestling. He said someone is supervising all the time to make sure the teens are just training and not getting hurt.

Pease said Bryant Lorette, Skowhegan High School senior and wrestler, is assisting with the teen programs and he is hoping to hire a trainer for the summer too.

Pease said all the details about the gym are displayed on the Internet site called My Space, and he plans to establish some scholarships for teens who can't afford the membership.

"Most young people can afford $20 a month, but I don't want anyone turned away for lack of money. We'll figure it out," he said.

Pease said 78 members have signed up for the gym, including quite a few families who are taking advantage of a family plan in the afternoon.

Pease said he hopes also to establish a suitable morning program for senior citizens.

Pease said he also plans to research and possibly organize a group for power-lifting meets around the state.

Pease said he provides training and has been lifting weights for years.

"When I was a teenager, it kept me out of trouble. It gave me a place to focus my energy. That's why I wanted to open the gym. I was already making a living," said Pease, who owns PCS Specialty contracting, which also does concrete repair, masonry and specialty coating.

Darla L. Pickett -- 474-9534, Ext. 341

dpickett@centralmaine.com