10/20/2026
To Calera and NXS families,
Over the past year, many of you have asked about our rebuilding progress and the status of the insurance claims following the fire that destroyed our gym. Because inaccurate rumors have begun circulating in our community, we feel it is necessary to provide an open, transparent update on where things stand.
• What Happened: On the night of July 2nd, 2025, our facility was destroyed by fire. Following an extensive investigation, the City of Calera Fire Marshal definitively determined the cause: spent fireworks from Lakehills church’s annual display—held in our parking lot—were improperly placed in the grass directly behind the facility, reignited, and spread to the building.
• The Insurance Position: Lakehills Church maintained a commercial liability insurance policy with ALFA, as required by their lease to protect against catastrophic tenant-caused property loss. Even though our losses far exceed the church’s policy limits with ALFA, we offered to resolve this matter entirely within those policy limits so that our community gym could rebuild without filing suit against, or pursuing the personal assets of, individual church members.
• The Lawsuit: ALFA rejected that resolution. Now, despite the findings in the Fire Marshal’s report and the fire occurring immediately after the fireworks show ended, ALFA and church leadership are denying responsibility for the fire. Under Alabama law, an injured business cannot sue an insurance company directly; legal action must be brought against the parties whose actions caused the loss.
• Next Steps: Because ALFA refuses to honor the policy, our only remaining path to prevent financial ruin is to let the court decide. NXS simply cannot absorb the total financial loss of our facility. Out of procedural necessity, this now requires amending our lawsuit to include all individuals directly involved in setting off and disposing of the fireworks so that we can rebuild and restore the same level of service to the community as we did before the fire.
We never wanted litigation. NXS supported Lakehills Church from its earliest days, even assisting with lease obligations so the congregation could establish itself, and we shared our facility in good faith for years. We had every hope that the insurer would simply honor the coverage purchased for this exact scenario. Faced with a total loss, a denied claim, and a changing story from church leadership, we must take the legal steps required to protect our business and survive. We are committed to rebuilding to serve our surrounding communities.
Thank you to everyone who has prayed for us, supported our coaches, and stood by our gym over this past year. We appreciate your continued support and understanding as we work through the legal process.
