One of the Capital Region’s largest gyms, ABC Sports and Fitness in Latham, has sat virtually empty for the past three months.

“It’s sad. I don’t know how else to describe it, it’s just sad,” co-owner Matt Doheny said. “Generally, this place is bustling 24 hours a day, and now we look out and there’s nobody at all.”

The gym will remain closed for at least a little while longer after Tuesday’s announcement from the state that gyms, malls, and theaters will not be allowed to resume business when Phase 4 of the state’s reopening plan begins next Wednesday.

“It’s very disheartening, it’s very sad, and I felt very defeated,” said Doheny, who became a part-owner of the nearly 30-year-old business nine years ago. “We’ve been doing all the procedures and taking all the steps to make sure we were able to reopen on [July] 1.”

With Phase 4 marking the last stage of the reopening process, it’s unclear when gyms, malls and theaters will be authorized to reopen. During Wednesday’s briefing, Governor Andrew Cuomo said there are concerns about the safety of indoor facilities that utilize air conditioning.

“Air conditioning may not be cleansing the air of the virus and just recirculating the virus,” Cuomo said.

“I would beg to give Cuomo a walk through my club to show him everything we are doing to go above and beyond to make sure we’re going to be safe for our members,” Doheny said.

Doheny says a new HVAC filtration system has already been installed. After their temperatures are taken at the front door, customers and staff will also notice new sanitization stations and plastic dividers between cardio equipment when they eventually return.

“Our business is based on the health and wellness of our local community,” Doheny said. “If I can’t have a safe space for the members, then what am I doing?”

“Obviously, we want to be open, but public safety and health is the first priority for everybody, so we understand,” said Kris Kiesling, general manager of the Madison Theater.

While their bar and restaurant resumed business at the start of Phase 3, Kiesling says they’ve developed new sanitization and safety protocols for when they’re allowed to show movies again. The theater is already equipped with plastic tables that serve as a divider between guests.

“Instead of general seating, we’ll have assigned seating to make sure everybody is keeping the proper amount of space in between the groups they came with,” Kiesling said.

Hopeful the state reconsiders its position and allows them to reopen as soon as possible, both Doheny and Kiesling say they’re eager to welcome customers back.

“My phone hasn’t stopped ringing, the phone, emails, social media is just constantly going all day, every day,” Doheny said.

“While it may be delayed a little bit longer, I think it’s going to make it that much more of a great experience when we do open our doors,” Kiesling said.