Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
May 05, 2021 - 4:23 PM
Kamloops Chamber of Commerce is calling on city council to reduce or even suspend fees for fitness classes at local parks.
A letter from the Kamloops chamber to council on May 5 urges the politicians to offer support as health and wellness businesses, like yoga studios, continue to feel the pressure from public health restrictions.
"The city has done amazing work with our local restaurants and other Kamloops businesses to find creative solutions for businesses hit hard by restrictions through no fault of their own," the letter reads. "The Kamloops Chamber is confident the city can also find equally effective and immediate solutions to help our fitness and wellness businesses survive."
The letter follows a motion brought to council yesterday, May 4, to make fitness classes at public parks more affordable to local businesses.
Councillors Kathy Sinclair and Sadie Hunter brought forward the joint motion proposing the City decrease the booking fees for fitness classes.
Coun. Sinclair says it's an approach similar to one in Kelowna that allows businesses to utilize lesser used parks to host group activities at a reduced cost.
Although the motion will have to be tabled at the next council meeting, May 18, before it can be approve, it's possible that businesses that have paid to book time at parks in Kamloops already can receive a reimbursement.
Sinclair says it's a motion that not only could be beneficial through the pandemic, but it's plan that could be beneficial for the health and wellness of the community long-term.
For some local businesses, however, support comes too late.
Yoga Loft, a studio downtown, announced on social media that they will be permanently closing on June 25 due to ongoing health restrictions stifling their ability to continue business.
The notice from the studio says they will continue hosting online classes until the closure date.
If the motion goes through council, park use fees for fitness classes could be $80 per month or $425 per year, instead of the current $20 per day.
Councillor Arjun Singh brought similar concerns to council, April 20. He proposed to waive fees to fitness classes at parks, but he later withdrew after there was little support from his colleagues for the motion.
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