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The Voice of North and West Vancouver since 1969

Discount packages tc be phased out; cash needed for programs

Deana Lancaster

News Reporter dlancaster@usnews.com

THE Daily Special is off the menu.

Users of North Vancouver Recreation Commission facilities who preter to buy the discounted fitness package —~ as well as those who buy the ProTeen Pac and the Silver Plate packages — are discovering that as of Sept. 1 their options have changed.

Whether they want to or not, they'll be buying an all-inclusive package, until now, known as The Works. And it comes with a new, higher price tag.

The Works is a popular package for fitness members who want to par- ticipate ina variety of activities and use all the facilities — including timess classes; access to the weight rooms; lane swimming; sauna, whirlpool and steam room, squash and racquetball; circuit training; public swims; walk- ing events, table tennis and open gym. And they can use them at any time of day. For the year 2000, The Works was $246 per year.

Members who bought the discounted packages — the Daily Special at $148.50 annually; the Silver Plate, $135.60 per year; and the ProTeen Pac, $147 —- could only work out in “non-prime time” hours: before 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and on weekends and statutory holidays. There were also some limitations on the tacilities and classes that could bz accessed, and restrictions on age for the Silver Plate and ProTeen Pac.

As of Sept. 1, there will only be one option available — an all-inclusive package, with no limitations on time or facilities. The tag on the new mem- bership is $270, plus a 25% discount ter students and seniors.

“We did an extensive research study,” said Heather Ostevik, manag community recreation services. “We surveyed current users and non-users and we had a public meeting.”

She said the research showed traditional usage patterns have changed and the fitness facilities are seeing especially high use in the morning.

The new membership plan, said Ostevik, “enables full access for all users regardless of the time of day.”

But that explanation doesn’t cut it for the members who were hap paying less to work out in non-prime time hours.

Marj Wakeman is 67. She’s been exercising with the ree commission for almost a decade. Each week she takes part in one session with the “Trail Trekkers” hiking club, takes nwo fitness classes and hits the weight room three times.

She currently does it all with the Silver Plate package. And she doesn’t think paying an extra $66 per year for the new membership plan is much ofa deal. “No way. ['m quite happy with the way things are. [like the time Ework out, I don’t want to go in the evening.”

But Ostevik said the current program of discounted memberships does-

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