Dundee’s Ardler Gym is to reopen on Tuesday after an insurance dispute forced them to remain closed after the pandemic.
Patrons will be able to return to the complex on Tuesday for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic hit.
The gym has operated out of the complex – owned by Dundee City Council – for more than 30 years.
An insurance dispute between Ardler Weights Committee and the management group which run the wider complex meant the gym wasn’t able to reopen following lockdown.
Bill Duthie, chairman of the committee, says he is “delighted” they are returning.
It follows months of complex discussions about the facility after they were told they would need to employ a full time first aider.
Bill, 80, and other committee members questioned this requirement, saying they believed there was already trained staff within the wider complex.
But they were told the local management group which run the facility did not hold the relevant insurance coverage.
Ardler Gym has produced several body-building success stories including multi-title winning Brian Soutar, but the requirement for a full time first aider put its future in doubt.
‘Red tape strangling us’
Bill said: “It was starting to feel like Mission: Impossible to get this gym open.
“We’d made massive inroads into making the gym ‘Covid compliant’ in anticipation of opening alongside other leisure facilities.
“There was financial investment to make sure the gym passed with flying colours.
“The stumbling block regarding a first aider was a massive frustration, it was like hitting a brick wall.”
He added: “We felt like the red tape was strangling us and with that many people thought the gym was a dead duck.
“Despite there being a trained first aider onsite and CCTV we were expected to employ a separate full-time first aider.
“Financially we couldn’t afford this – it just wouldn’t be viable.”
Bill spoke with The Courier in April before reaching out to Dundee City Council’s insurance provided Zurich.
‘No grudge against the council’
They have now taken out their own insurance, which Bill says has solved the issue.
He explained: “There is now a strict set of rules in place for reopening on Tuesday.
“We have number of trained first aiders now but there is no requirement for a full time staff member.
“There is no grudge against the council, we’re just delighted to be re-opening and welcome the members back.”
Dundee City Council have been approached for comment.
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