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Category: Readers' Opinions

Wrong hours for rec centers

Jun 08

7:37 AM

Re 'Centers lose membership, grow costly as they age,' Hampton Roads, June 23: Why are the Virginia Beach rec centers so costly? Because they are overstaffed. Why is attendance dropping? Because the city runs these facilities for the convenience of the staff, not the convenience of the user. I, as a user, want to use the facilities on Sundays when I'm free and on holidays when I'm free. For the convenience of the staff, the city closes on most of these days.

To verify my answers to the questions asked, visit a commercial facility that sells recreation to the public and observe the size of their staff and their operating hours.

John Porter

Virginia Beach

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My take

Submitted by Ira Tateu on Fri, 06/27/2008 at 1:11 pm.

I attended the Great Neck rec for years. They do close for just about every holiday. The facility lacks some basic equipment needed to train. Don't get me wrong, for the price it was great. However, when the aim is fitness they were lacking. Nevermind the idiotic training they put me throug hon the weights to gain my 'red dot.' This teenager starts explaing safety in the most lethargic manner I have ever seen after I have been a memebr for three years. This is prompted because I visited another rec center and did not have my 'dot.' On that note, thestaff when I attended was very somber and indifferent. It felt like walking into the tax office. I paid almost $500 a year for gym membership instead of messing w/ that place. It pains me because the idea is great. It is just poorly run as a health location. I honestly though they did it on purpose no to provide competition to local business'.

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I am in favor of the rec centers remaining and expanding!

Submitted by marym63204 on Thu, 06/26/2008 at 7:41 pm.

Goodness, we in the Beach are being asked to buy into a public/private partnership with the YMCA at Princess Anne. Anybody in the Beach ever checked out what it costs per month to join the YMCA in Chesapeake? Over $100. Meanwhile, even if our rec centers are not "state of the art" they are only $50-65 a year. The other cities like what we have. I have heard that for years. Why would we let it go so we can pay more, too? Cheers, MGM

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REC CENTER

Submitted by shellkc on Thu, 06/26/2008 at 5:02 pm.

I go to the Bow Creek Rec Center and it does not have a lot to offer. There is a very small room with a few cardio machines and another room that is a little larger packed in with strength training equipment. It is highly used but is in use each time I go in. There is only one tread mill which is usually in use also. The physical closeness is unreal and makes it not so appealing to work out there.

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