USERS of a temporary gym at the Wyndham Leisure and Events Centre
are looking for somewhere else to work out after the council announced
the centre will close on September 10.
The temporary facility was to remain open until a new gym was
built, providing members with a workout space during the $45-million
redevelopment. But the council says the gym must close to allow the
redevelopment of the leisure and events centre to continue.
Chief executive Kerry Thompson said declining memberships and
problems with the construction of new swimming pools forced the closure.
“Since work commenced at the site, it was found that there was more than expected amounts of clay which is susceptible to movement, requiring a more complex construction methodology for some of the new pools,” Ms Thompson said.
“Closure of the temporary gym will provide greater flexibility in
the staging of the works at the site and will reduce delays resulting
for the complex pool construction.”
Ms Thompson said she understood that members were frustrated with
the gym’s closure, but memberships had also declined since the temporary
facility opened.
“There is no doubt that the disruption caused to members has been
frustrating and we sincerely apologise for this inconvenience.”
Gym member Petina Kosewski said the closure had upset many people.
Ms Kosewski has been a gym member for four months. She said she
would be forced to find another gym close to home that she felt
comfortable using.
“This will have a major impact on all the members. The council has not considered how this will affect people,” she said.
“For many people, the gym is an avenue for socialising.”
Ms Thompson said the gym’s closure and pool complications would
not affect the cost of the redevelopment, with the council allowing for
problems and increased costs when determining the budget.
The redeveloped leisure centre will open in 2015.
