New era: From Dave Morse to Thomas Jacobs, community gym changes hands

October 14, 2026  |  By Katie Lyford

New gym owner Thomas Jacobs will take Waterbury Community Fitness into its next era, following in the footsteps of gym founder Dave Morse (right). Photo by Gordon Miller

MORETOWN —During the two and a half decades that Dave Morse owned and operated Dave’s Community Fitness, he built something that felt like family. When he started to think about hanging up the towel, he was certain of one thing: he wanted the right fit.

“I spent two years trying to find somebody that I thought would be perfect for them,” Morse said.

Knowing his clients, Morse, 72,  noticed Thomas Jacobs, of Moretown, who was in the gym consistently for his early-morning workouts.

“He was really cordial with the other members,” Morse said. “And that’s the one thing that I really was looking for was to find somebody who would get along with the members that we have.”

In talking with Jacobs, Morse learned that he and his wife Bridget run Farmhouse Flowers, a flower farm and wedding venue in Moretown. Jacobs’ business experience and familiarity with social media appealed to Morse.

Jacobs was not initially ready to take on another business venture, as he was just starting a family and Farmhouse Flowers was new. When Morse approached him again in early 2026, the couple was ready and they worked out the logistics.

“I think anytime I have a big decision, I just sit for a second, and then it’s either yes or no, and it just said yes,” Jacobs said.

So as Farmhouse Flowers continues to put down its roots with Bridget Jacobs at the helm, Thomas Jacobs has taken on transforming the popular local gym.

Jacobs, 36, said he knows taking over the beloved institution is no small task. He aims to keep the community connections while giving it new life. Since the ownership changed hands over the summer, Jacobs closed the gym for renovations and plans to reopen as Waterbury Community Fitness in the coming weeks.

From necessity to institution

Jim Carey (right) has a gift for retiring Dave Morse. Photo by Gordon Miller

What started as an act of necessity to find work in the fitness world became much more for Morse, a Waterbury native. A longtime athlete, he had focused his studies in fitness, getting a degree in community recreation administration from Lyndon State College, now known as the Lyndon campus of Vermont State University. Morse moved around a bit and then spent 20 years in California, where he managed a high-end private gym and learned the ropes of running a business. Then tragedy struck. His parents had a motor vehicle accident and his mother did not survive. His father needed care and Morse was the one who stepped up, returning to his hometown.

Morse needed to find work close to home, but there were no options in the fitness industry in Waterbury at the time, so he decided to create one. He and his family formulated a business plan to see if they could get a gym started. Securing financing proved difficult, but family members stepped in to help. His brother-in-law built the gym out of a former storage facility.

Support from the start

Gym members celebrate with Dave Morse. L to R: Kim Greenwood and husband Ian Orman, Phyllis Arsenault-Berry, Morse, Jim Carey, John Malter, Bob Finucane. Photo by Gordon Miller

People were very supportive right from the start. Phyllis Arsenault-Berry and John Malter were members from day one and plan to continue as members of Jacobs’ gym. Arsenault-Berry recalls training for a marathon and noticing a man working out in an old warehouse.

“I wondered, ‘What in the world is this guy doing in that warehouse?’ I signed up that day and was a member for the next 25 years,” she said. She credits Morse’s longevity to his way of giving to anyone and building strong community ties. She said he gave to the community and the community gave back.

Malter recalls Morse creating a fun fitness challenge with silly props. Malter still has a photo Morse took of him using three hula-hoops. “He just really knew how to make us enjoy sweating,” said Malter, who penned a special ode to Morse presented at his retirement party this summer.

Despite recessions, floods and a pandemic, Morse stayed open and never at the expense of his members. Amidst all the challenges, Morse strove to make the gym accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. Morse and his members attributed this resilience to the strong relationships he has built.

Malter feels Morse achieved success entirely on his own terms. “He never got there as a wealthy man in money, but he got there as a wealthy man in respect from others, and appreciation for all that he did for so many people in so many ways,” Malter said.

Gym members Kit Walker and Rob Hofmann joined Morse’s gym more than 20 years ago. They said their past commercial gyms were impersonal. “We don't even remember some of the owners’ names,” Hoffman said.

“Dave engendered loyalty, just by who he is,” Walker added.

Building on the vision

Thomas Jacobs in a 30x30 studio classroom space already updated with new paint and flooring. Photo by Katie Lyford

Jacobs has a vision for change but values many of the things Morse built and hopes to continue those in the new start.

For Joey Clark, a certified master trainer who runs Concentric Fitness, Morse’s willingness to help others had a lasting professional impact.

“Dave gave me my first shot at training and teaching TRX classes in 2013, and that meant a lot to me,” Clark said.

Clark recognizes the value in Jacobs starting fresh and rebranding. “You can't duplicate someone else's journey, and you don't have to,” he said. “You respect what came before you, learn from it, and build something that can continue to serve the people who make the gym what it is.”

Clark said he plans to become a member and is already on staff for personal training at the new gym.

Jacobs had planned to open in early October, but renovations have required more work than he originally anticipated. He is now aiming for late October or early November. The project involves overhauling the space with new electrical and lighting, flooring, plumbing and bathrooms/showers, and a new facade with large windows to let in more natural light.

The biggest challenge will be organizing people to ensure there is enough staff as the gym reopens, Jacobs said, but he’s confident it will all work out. “I think the best way to describe it is I’m the most overwhelmed I've ever felt, but also the most excited,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs plans to offer general memberships alongside group classes and personal training. He will start out doing much of this himself, as he looks to add more staff and increase memberships. The gym on social media is sharing an online survey to get feedback from former and potential new members in the community. It asks for input about hours, classes, interest in personal training, and even whether members might like to have a golf simulator.

Clark and personal trainer Tammy Deeb will join Jacobs on staff to start. Deeb will host Monday group classes and offer one-on-one sessions. Kate Greenleaf, who owns a massage therapy business in Waterbury, also is looking forward to working in the new gym.

“He has a vision for the space that is welcoming and inclusive for all ages and abilities of fitness. When he shared that he’d like to create a well-rounded variety of classes, I offered to teach a gentler style of yoga/stretch class,” she said.

Morse feels confident in his decision to sell to Jacobs. “Thomas has a pretty good backing and a great business plan. I’m pretty positive he’s gonna flourish.”

Several of Morse’s longtime members said they plan to continue working out at the new gym. Morse will join them when he can since Jacobs granted him a lifetime membership to Waterbury Community Fitness.

What started as Morse overcoming tragedy and building community has turned into an unplanned legacy he is happy about.
“Everybody just kind of felt like family, you know? If I see those people, I still feel like I’m seeing somebody from my family,” he said. “Over 25 years, we've had thousands of people come through. So, that’s really what I’m happiest about.”

Katie Lyford is a community reporting fellow working with the Journalism New England Career Lab, covering stories for the Waterbury Roundabout and The Valley Reporter.