Residents furious over Glenvista Shopping Centre renovations

THE COURIER has received numerous complaints from upset residents about the recently announced renovations scheduled at the Glenvista Shopping Centre which will see the closing down of the Glenvista Fitness Centre and the Angel Fish Swimming Academy.

Simone Durieux is the owner of the swim school which has been running from the Glenvista Fitness Centre for about five years.

Around October 11, Simone received heart-breaking news that the gym will be closing down at the end of the month (October). This is because the Glenvista Shopping Centre will undergo renovations.

Simone spoke to the COURIER and vented her anger towards the issue saying that the gym’s lease will be ending at the end of the month (October) and the management does not want to renew it. According to Simone the management plans on moving the shops that are upstairs down to where the gym currently is.

“My swim school has been open for nearly five years and now I’m faced with possibly having to close my swim school down. The centre management is planning on closing up the pool section to build a new entrance to the shopping centre and closing the other entrance. It breaks my heart that they would close an indoor pool up and rather build a new entrance to a mall,” said Simone.

She also emphasised that drownings are a real problem in South Africa that happens daily.

“Our swim school provides a vital life skill to the community and we are teaching swimming to children and adults with the hopes of saving a life and preventing more drownings. I do know that there are other swim schools out there but we have built such a great relationship with our clients that they do not want to go to other swim schools and that is a concern as the children and adults might not learn the skills they need should they one day fall into a deep pool or any body of water,” complained Simone.

She also mentioned that Angel Fish Swimming Academy has grown tremendously over the last five years with over 130 students. There is also six ladies working for the Academy and a lady who helps with transportation for the group lessons.

“One of my employees is eight weeks pregnant and my transport lady recently bought a new car because she was secure in this job with me. Should the swim school have to close down all my employees and my transport lady would be without a job and it’s too late in the year to find a new job,” said Simone.

Another upset resident

The CHRONICLE also published a letter from another upset resident.

Read more: Upsetting to gym goers

According to Simone many of the gym members have not been informed of what is going on and should the gym and the pool close down the elderly people would not have anywhere else to go as they cannot afford other gym’s fees.

“One lady has been training at this gym for 23 years and she only uses the pool as it is the only form of exercise suitable for her joints. Majority of the elderly people only use the swimming pool as it is the only form of exercise they can do. Some members have expressed that they would not be comfortable to go to other pools that are more open plan and the whole gym can watch you whereas this pool is separate from the rest of the gym,” said Simone.

Simone aims to raise awareness for Angel Fish Swimming Academy so the community is aware of it.

“It really is so disturbing that they are willing to close an indoor pool down to build a new entrance instead of allowing us to continue providing a lifesaving skill to the community,” concluded Simone.

If anyone is willing to help the academy and Simone in any way by means of a pool or space for the lessons then contact her on 071 158 6200 or email simone.durieux1@gmail.com

Glenvista Shopping centre responds

The Centre was contacted for comment regarding the renovations and centre management explained how Checkers will be upgrading at a cost of R35-million, which will see an additional 600m² added to the floor.

Management released a statement which read as follows:

“The centre has been around for over 28 years and has been renovated on numerous occasions with new tenants moving in and out.

“Unfortunately, the gym did not form part of our current and future plans as we feel that the ability for an independent gym such as Glenvista Fitness Centre to compete with other gym’s such as Virgin Active and Planet Fitness, has become more difficult as the capital investment is extremely extensive.

“We, therefore, took the opportunity to re-tenant the centre with convenience shops which will provide a better service to the customers to whom they serve.”

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