A fitness centre in Airdrie has been closed indefinitely, after Alberta Health Services (AHS) issued the gym a notice of closure April 14 for contravening public health orders.
According to a notice of closure posted on the business’ door, Anytime Fitness, a 24-hour gym on Railway Avenue SW, was forced to close for remaining open during the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 27, Alberta’s chief medical officer, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, ordered fitness centres, which are not designated as essential services, to be closed to help limit the spread of the virus.
AHS’ notice, which is addressed to co-owners Rob Sanderson and Ali Rauf, claimed the gym covered its windows to hide that people were still working out inside. The notice also claimed general manager Dwayne Baker was verbally warned April 8 about the contraventions, before the official closure was issued a week later.
“The above noted premises shall remain closed until such time that this Order is rescinded by an Executive Officer of Alberta Health Services,” the notice read.
Baker, reached April 15, said the incident was a misunderstanding between himself, the Airdrie RCMP and AHS. He said he called AHS in mid- to late-March to ask if he was still allowed to conduct personal training sessions during the pandemic, and was referred to contact the RCMP.
"I got off the phone with [AHS] and called the RCMP, and the lady at the front desk put me on hold for five minutes when I told her what the situation was," Baker said. "She talked to her counterparts and told me she didn’t see a problem with it, and there shouldn’t be any fines levelled or anything.
"Two weeks after that, we had another guy from AHS show up and ask what we’re doing. I said we’re doing renos and I’m also training people one-on-one, and that’s when this whole thing got blown out of proportion.”
Baker said he was training three clients individually before the facility was shut down.
"Someone would come at 10 a.m., they would leave, I would clean everything and then another person would come at noon," he said.
“I just wish [the RCMP and AHS] had given me a yes or no answer. They told me yes, and then the next thing you know, AHS is showing up and we have all these issues.”
Baker added the window coverings were up because he was painting, and did not want paint to drip on the elliptical machines.
Individuals who violate a public health order are subject to facing a $1,000 fine, according to AHS. The provincial government has also given authority to courts to "administer fines of up to $100,000 for a first offence and up to $500,000 for a subsequent offence for more serious violations."
Baker said he hasn't received a fine, as of April 15.
“I don’t think we’re getting one because we closed down as soon as the guy [from AHS] showed up," he said. "I said we’ll take everything down right now.”
According to an April 14 report from the CBC, 12 non-essential businesses in Alberta have been issued notices of closure for remaining open during the pandemic.
