ARC Campbelltown website features too many ‘fit, young, attractive’ people’, says council committee

AN Adelaide council might have to overhaul its gym’s website after one of its committees complained it featured too many “fit, young, attractive” people. Do they have a point?

• Dozens hurt, council to spend $20,000 to stop slip injuries at ARC

AN Adelaide leisure centre’s website could be updated with a more diverse snapshot of the community following complaints it was focusing on just “fit, young, attractive” people.

Campbelltown council’s Active Ageing Advisory Committee has asked elected members to consider images “more representative of the diversity” of the community on the website, on marketing material and throughout the building.

Mayor Simon Brewer said at a council meeting this month the committee was “quite concerned” the issue had been raised several times but with no action.

“If you’re not aged 20 to 30 and a fit, attractive young person you don’t feature on the website,” he said.

The committee has argued that images of older people would make the facility more appealing to all members of the community. Picture: Supplied

“It’s sending a very wrong message, certainly in the view of the committee, and I share that view.

“(They are) very concerned about the images portrayed both on the website and at the actual facility.

“It’s not malicious in any way, but there are improvements that could happen at The ARC that could attract quite a large group of people at times when it’s underutilised during the day.

“It’s a great opportunity there to seize on a few things the committee has identified.”

Council chief executive officer Paul Di Iulio said the council should consider pictures of residents from “the cradle to the grave”.

“We don’t want to overemphasise one group over another,” he said.

“It’s important we don’t segregate parts of our community.”

The committee also recommended more programs for older people and those with lesser fitness levels or abilities.

The council will also consider waiving the $75 joining fee for concession card holders for the Fit For Life gym.