Some B.C. fitness centres and their clients are calling on the government to deem gyms and fitness centres as essential services after being forced to once again close their doors because of pandemic-related measures.

Indoor adult exercise, fitness and dance centres were ordered to close as of Dec. 23 until at least Jan. 18, under new measures announced by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on Dec. 21 to try and stay ahead of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19. Businesses that defy public health orders can be fined or forced to close.

In Cranbrook, Fitness Inc. decided to keep their doors open despite the mandated closure after they say that several of their members pointed to mental health struggles. The fitness centre received a fine from police for staying open on Dec. 24, and have since closed their doors.

91裸聊视频淎 high percentage of our members come here for mental health reasons,91裸聊视频� Fitness Inc. owner Trevor Zak told the Townsman. 91裸聊视频淥ne of our members put it this way: it91裸聊视频檚 the biggest rehab centre for mental health.91裸聊视频�

Darren Henning, one of Fitness Inc.91裸聊视频檚 members and Strongman participants, has organized a to help pay the fines imposed on Fitness Inc. As of Dec. 30, $3,735 had been raised.

91裸聊视频淭revor and Fitness Inc. are a vital part of the Cranbrook fitness community. Trevor made the decision to remain open despite the mandates from the government because he knows how important the gym is to the lives of the members. This decision came at a heavy cost,91裸聊视频� Henning wrote.

There is also a that calls for small, independent gyms in B.C. to be allowed to open. There are more than 43,000 virtual signatures.

Fitness Inc. itself has had no known exposures or cases, Zak says. He adds that they have followed all health orders and that they are vigilant about cleaning. Prior to the latest mandate, proof of vaccination was required to enter the gym.

This isn91裸聊视频檛 the only instance of a gym defying the public health mandate. On Christmas Eve it was reported that several gyms in Kamloops decided to remain open, as well. One such gym is considering a class-action lawsuit.

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Samantha Agtarap, who started the province-wide petition, is calling for a reconsideration of the public health order.

91裸聊视频淧hysical exercise in times of stress is an important outlet for many people, and not all gyms are the same,91裸聊视频� writes Agtarap. 91裸聊视频淭here are many small, independently owned and operated gyms that have significantly modified operations to keep their clients as safe as possible and have not experienced any cases of transmission or significant outbreaks over the past two years. Our clients have worked with us to keep our gyms safe and open - they stay home if they don91裸聊视频檛 feel well, the abide by the rules and help keep the gym clean91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频�

In an . , she adds that while physical activity is important for mental and physical health, 91裸聊视频渙ur argument hinges primarily on the lack of data shared with the public on where transmission is occurring. If this is because the government has no data then the fitness sector should not be targeted alone.91裸聊视频�

Zak shared a similar sentiment. He pointed to the Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC), stating that there are 91裸聊视频渧ery little91裸聊视频� statistics to show gyms being a major cause of the spread of COVID-19.

FIC is a not-for-profit trade association that represents fitness facility operators across Canada.

91裸聊视频淔IC did a survey a few months ago. They looked at 2.7 million visits to member gyms and 0.00008 per cent of those visits had an exposure,91裸聊视频� Zak said.

He adds that he would have been willing to reduce capacity or take other measures to be able to stay open, but they 91裸聊视频渘ever got the chance91裸聊视频�.

Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka, of the BC Liberals, has been vocal online about his support for modified re-opening of fitness centres.

On Facebook, Shypitka said that facilities like Fitness Inc. can 91裸聊视频渙perate safely91裸聊视频� with potential modifications.

91裸聊视频淲ithout even giving these operators the chance to participate puts many others at risk that depend on physical and mental health,91裸聊视频� he wrote. 91裸聊视频淚 will continue bringing these issues up to our provincial health officer for better clarification and pushing for more hybrid solutions. Mental and physical health is very important, especially in the times we are now. There is also a petition circulating that I will present to the legislature.91裸聊视频�

Shortly after announcing the Omicron-related restrictions, the province also announced one-time grants of up to $10,000 for businesses that were forced to close in order to pay for lost wages faced by employees. Those funds will be available in January.

Zak says he hasn91裸聊视频檛 had to lay off any staff, and he91裸聊视频檚 given his staff the option to continue working if they wish to do so. While the facility is closed they91裸聊视频檒l be working on maintenance and deep cleaning tasks. He said he will be applying for the government grant 91裸聊视频渁s soon as he can91裸聊视频�. He thanked his staff for their support, as well as the community.

91裸聊视频淚 have the best staff, they are the front of the business and they make the business what it is,91裸聊视频� Zak said. 91裸聊视频淥ur members are amazing and the outpouring of support has just been great. I91裸聊视频檝e had so many calls and messages from members who say how the gym is like church to them. This is their rehab. This is their out. They91裸聊视频檙e here every day. We really just appreciate the continued support from our community and members.91裸聊视频�

corey.bullock@cranbrooktownsman.com
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