A fitness center in St. Louis Park was evacuated Friday morning because of a suspected leak involving pool chemicals, and one person was taken to a hospital, officials said.
About two dozen patrons along with staff members of the Life Time Fitness on Cedar Lake Road were evacuated about 8 a.m. as authorities investigated the leak, said city spokesman Jamie Zwilling.
The center was given the all-clear and reopened at 12:30 p.m., said Life Time Fitness spokesman Jason Thunstrom.
The leak in the form of gas occurred during "a routine maintenance procedure" involving a whirlpool and was caused by human error, Thunstrom said.
The employee carrying out the maintenance was brought to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment, Thunstrom said. He said the staff member was "expected to be just fine."
Zwilling said three other people were treated at the scene for possible exposure to the chemical.
A chemical assessment team from the Hopkins Fire Department determined the release was related to pool cleaning chemicals, Zwilling said. A final determination of the exact chemical involved was pending, but chlorine was ruled out, he added.
A Metro Transit bus was at the fitness center to keep people in workout clothes warm during the evacuation.
