MORE than 700 people have signed a petition urging Wyndham Council to relocate group exercise classes during the redevelopment of a Hoppers Crossing gym.
It comes after the shock announcement that classes will be cancelled for 18 months because of the work.
A temporary gym with exercise machines, weights, a boxing area and change rooms is being built ahead of the Wyndham Leisure and Events Centre’s multimillion-dollar facelift.
But in a letter to members on October 1, the council said the temporary gym could not accommodate group classes.
Classes will wind up in late February and will not run during the redevelopment, which is expected to take 12-18 months.
Werribee resident Margaret Polh, a member for 10 years, said it was a blow for hundreds of users.
She said the centre hosted 42 classes a week with more than 20 people in each. “We’re just devastated, it’s such a big part of our lives,” Ms Polh said.
“But we’re not just fighting for ourselves. We’re fighting for everyone it will affect, like the loyal instructors who work there.” Ms Polh said many people found the classes more beneficial than exercising alone, because of shared motivation, dedicated staff and the ability to socialise.
The council did not respond before the Weekly went to print. In June, it failed in a bid to secure a $15 million federal grant for the redevelopment, which forced changes to the scope of works.
