A new fitness club that was initially set to launch before the New Year hasn't opened its doors, leaving many people who have already paid for a membership looking for answers.

It has also created quite the stir online.

The billboards are all over the city, advertising the World Gym's arrival in Windsor and Lasalle for $9.99 a month.

“This weekend I looked into the window (of the Windsor location) and there's nothing going on in the building," says Pat Ryan, who bought a membership in December.

He says he put down a $100 enrollment fee and an initial payment, but so far has nothing to show for it.

“We look forward to having a great facility that's world class, and I think everyone's going to be happy and love it,” says franchise owner Wes Hodgson.

Hodgson says a series of city permit issues and problems with the contractor have delayed the projects.

Windsor's Chief Building Official John Revell says the permit issues were recently resolved.

“There was some back and forth, but ultimately the permit was issued on January 5,"says Revell.

The owner took to Facebook to thank his customers for their patience and let them know it would soon open, with a projected date of Jan. 29.

“There is now way it's going to be open by Jan. 29,” says Ryan. “These people have been waiting since the first date of December, now January and now whenever."

Frustrated, Ryan went looking for a refund, but was told his debit transaction couldn't be refunded, that he'd have to wait to get a cheque in the mail from the head office.

He took this video as he left the sales office.

That video was posted to Facebook and got 70,000 views in just a few days.

Hodgson says the company usually will only issue refunds through head office for loss prevention purposes, but that has changed for Windsor.

“We've changed that policy in Windsor, so that when customers come in and want a refund, that's fine,” says Hodgson. “And we don't want them to have to wait for a cheque from head office, we'll just process it on the spot."

Ryan says unfortunately a viral video had to make things happen, but sometimes you have to do things to make it happen.

Hodgson says there's no ill will and is making it his personal mission to get the facility open as soon as possible.

“We want the gym to open just as much as everyone else does,” says Hodgson. “And we're doing everything in our power to make that happen."