There has been good news for members of a specialized gym in Victoria that was marked for permanent closure at the end of July.
Move Adapted Fitness & Rehabilitation Society of B.C., which provides vital resources for people living with physical, neurological and cognitive challenges, has been taken over by physiotherapy clinic, Neuromotion, which resides in the same building as the specialized gym.
The takeover means that Move’s members can continue to access services and equipment not found in traditional gyms, which they have relied on since it opened in 2013.
To reflect the change, the gym has been renamed Move Adapted Fitness @ Neuromotion.
“We are so thankful to Neuromotion,” said Alannah Verville, one of Move’s directors. “I think they're the big heroes in this story.”
For Move’s members, Verville says that the news has come as a big relief.
“There was a lot of anxiety, nervousness,” Verville said. “A lot of people asking, ‘What am I going to do now? I've made all this progress physically, this is my community, it’s my emotional support, mental support,' all these things. And so it was potentially a big loss for them … so I think people are relieved.”
Move was set to close because of “unforeseen financial hardships” and the loss of its charitable status because of the “negligence” of a past board member. At the time, the former not-for-profit said that it was in “extreme debt” to the Canada Revenue Agency and its landlord, Neuromotion.
“They definitely didn't have to help us … they definitely could have just kicked us out and that be it,” said Verville. “But instead, they decided to help. They know how important Move is to the community, and they want to continue to support that.”
An online fundraiser, which has so far raised over $27,000, was launched as an attempt to help the gym continue its services. It is now hoped that the money raised could help Neuromotion purchase Move’s specialized gym equipment.
Despite the switch from not-for-profit to for-profit, Verville says that the ethos of Move being a low-cost, accessible and community-driven organization will remain. Move’s staff and volunteers have all remained too, providing further continuity.
“The owner of Neuromotion is really pushing to keep prices low, inclusive and affordable,” said Verville. “As that's the whole point of Move. People can come and use the gym and have the support they need, and it be low cost.”
