A number of gym owners in B.C. say they are extremely frustrated after being denied thousands of dollars in COVID-19 relief funding.
CrossFit Okanagan in Kelowna, Bodyshop Training Centre in West Kelowna and Forge Valley Fitness in Vernon are just a few gyms that say they were told the money would not be available to them.
All three gyms followed public health orders and shut down their facilities when the public health order was announced back in December.
Gyms were able to operate youth programs during the mandate, but are now being penalized because of it.
Forge Valley Fitness Owner Terrence Limbert says he directly reached out to the government and received the following response.
"I have looked into your file and unfortunately Forge Valley Fitness Ltd. does not meet the eligibility criteria because the business offers youth programs and was not required to fully close due to the PHO order. This grant is available to businesses that have physical locations and were required to fully close or were forced to close due to the Provincial Health Officer orders announced on Dec. 22, 2021."
Limbert says he is upset because the grants guidelines have changed eligibility requirements since the initial announcement.
"Originally this grant would have been eligible for all businesses affected by the Dec. 22 order, including businesses restricted to 50 per cent capacity. This wording has now vanished from the web page as the government and ministries continue to leave small businesses on the hook for closing our doors and leaving customers outside of our business," he said.
Limbert adds that he only collected $1,787 in revenue while the youth program ran during the closure.
"If they believe for one second that we can make ends meet with less than $2,000, or pivot our business overnight to 10 times our youth member base, it is simply irresponsible of them."
If Forge Valley Fitness did not hold youth classes, Limbert says it could be eligible for $5,000 or more.
Kelowna West MLA Ben Stewart says he has drafted a letter to Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon asking for reconsideration.
He said he is frustrated with how “petty” the government’s decision is.
“I just can't believe that,” he said. “I am very disappointed that it has come to this.”
