TRENTON — Fitness East, the popular fitness club and gymnasium, is closing its doors Friday after more than 15 years in operation.

Dwayne Crawford, who owns and operates the fitness center with his wife, Julie Tilden, said the decision to close came after reviewing the “long-term outlook” of the facility.

“We had to really sit down and look at the nature of the business,” said Crawford. “In order to remain competitive we’ve steadily reduced our rates.” Crawford said area nonprofit YMCAs have been drawing membership away from his business.

After the building closes, Crawford’s 2,000 patrons will have membership costs at the YMCAs waived. Crawford is also seeking to help his 20 employees, most of whom are part-time instructors, find other employment.

The Life Christian Academy, a private religious school that has been holding classes in part of the building for the past year, will expand into the rest of the center.

Crawford declined to discuss whether he was selling or leasing the building to the school, saying only that the decision to close meant he had the “opportunity to get out and do something that is still going to generate revenue for us.”

In addition, Crawford is selling his athletic equipment used at the center, though he said Wednesday that little of the material remains unsold. The Hancock County commissioners Tuesday voted to purchase “up to $6,500” of Crawford’s athletic equipment for use in an employee athletic facility in the new county jail.