It’s been described as a kick in the guts.
A group of elderley citizens who attend heartmoves classes at Balance Health Club in the city have been told they’re no longer wanted.
Terry Gravolin says he’s not sure where he’ll exercise now.
“I suppose most people will ask for a refund. We’ll have to source somewhere else in Newcastle that will cater for us. We don’t know if there is anywhere else. Have they told you why? No. Do you have any inclination as to why they are discontinuing the class? No.”
Balance informed the members via a letter that their classes will now operate out its Mayfield and New Lambton gyms.
A move which the group exercise enthusiats say is not feasible.
Pam Mitchell thinks the decision is ridiculous.
“Why do you think they’ve made the decision? Because we’re old, we don’t wear g-strings and we aren’t a good look I think, because they didn’t ask us, they just said out.”
Balance Health Group CEO, Phil Gardner, says operating classes at the city location is no longer sustainable.
He also added Balance offer 25 heartmoves classes between their Mayfield and New Lambton gyms.
Licensed clubs are supposed to be not for profit and to be supportive of the community. Come on Wests, you support lots of other activities so why not a little to keep grandparents healthy. We weren’t even asked to pay a little more on top of the present annual fee. Consultation and communication could probably have resolved this to everyone’s satisfaction.
A very poor effort from a club that promotes community values. It will mean that a number of city dwellers who pursue a healthful pursuit, and who are not able to take the travel option to other club, will now be deprived of something that may keep them healthier in their old age.
Shame is the only appropriate word.
Roy,
There is a big difference between “not for profit” and “not for loss”. At the end of the day, if a club is LOSING money running a program then it’s not sustainable. With 25 classes still available to Wests members and only 3 cut from th City club, members are hardly being left without option.
There are always ways to deliver a service. My sense is that Mr. Gardner has not really thought through the options he has to service an inner city audience, the PR he could get from this and maybe revive a struggling business, allocate funds from the club appropriately and, of course, understood the broader business repercussions of the business. Well done! Oh, by the way, the council could play a role I. This if they want to keep the city alive. Did someone say “not being served by our tax payer funded representatives.” Stop sitting on your hands mayor and councillors. Do something productive and value added!