Luxury North Adelaide Next Gen Memorial Drive gym facing member uproar amid backlash over poor services

One of the state’s most exclusive gyms is embroiled in a member revolt that has sparked complaints to the state’s consumer watchdog.

NEWS ADV Views of Next Generation Gym Image/Russell Millard Photography

One of the state’s most exclusive gyms is embroiled in a member revolt amid a backlash about its poor fitness facilities that has sparked complaints to the state’s consumer watchdog.

The multimillion-dollar Next Gen Memorial Drive, adjacent Adelaide Oval and tennis stadium, charges South Australia’s movers and shakers for “world-class facilities in a resort-inspired club”.

But the 25-year-old “health and lifestyle” hub, a known celebrity haunt located on the River Torrens at North Adelaide, is facing a revolt among its more than 1000 members.

Many are said to be “up in arms” over, what they argue, are unreasonable fees despite being deprived of basic services at the luxury club, which doesn’t publicly disclose its charges online.

The dispute, which has sparked complaints to Consumer and Business Services, centres on claims the high-profile gym is breaching customer as well as occupational health and safety laws.

Complaints include no working showers – said to be closed for at least two months due to renovations – and “regularly” broken equipment including the sauna, steam room and a recently “freezing” outdoor heated pool.

Works at the Next Generation gym. A door leading to the showers, which are currently closed. Picture: supplied

Renovations next to the pool. Picture: supplied

Despite terms and conditions insisting swimmers must rinse for “health and hygiene reasons”, the gym has only two working poolside showers.

Reminder signage warns members against using the rinsing showers as a personal bathroom and notes “bathing suits are required”.

The club, formerly known as Next Generation, has also come under fire for a lack of communication to members and a refusal to reduce gym fees despite a litany of problems at the Riverbank gymnasium, which has various charges from $2000 a year depending on usage.

Works at the Next Generation gym on War Memorial Drive. Next Gen members are up in arms about a lack of facilities. Picture: supplied

Works at the Next Generation gym on War Memorial Drive. Next Gen members are up in arms about a lack of facilities. Picture: supplied

Instead users can suspend their membership but this means not being able to enter the private members club with its 28 competition-grade tennis or squash courts along with 100 group fitness classes and luxury “retreats”.

One leading legal eagle, who declined to be named, said members were “up in arms, and those arms are starting to get flabby”.

“Most people are paying around $2000 a year for a gym that doesn’t have showers,” they said.

“It also has facilities such as the steam room and sauna that breakdown regularly.

“People are really p***ed off.

It is claimed some members Works at the Next Generation gym on War Memorial Drive. Next Gen members are up in arms about a lack of facilities. Picture: supplied

“I don’t know how many people have formally asked but there’s lots of talk about how Next Gen should reduce the fees.

“There’s been no reduction in fees and the time for repairing the showers has blown out already. What can people do?”

Members told how notices were erected in July that detailed how showers would be closed for works, which has caused further anger about a lack of planning or a staged renovation.

“For the whole facility is two rinsing showers and things are so desperate people are actually using them as showers – which they’re not allowed to do,” a public servant member said.

The club is located in the Riverbank area next to Adelaide Oval. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

“They’re leaving their bathers on but walking in to a very public area with their toilet bags and toothbrushes. It’s disgusting. The gym isn’t policing it. It’s outrageous.

“Recently they put up a sign but it’s only with bluetack so it keeps coming off.”

Another member, also a senior public servant, said the gym did not appear to believe the complaints were valid.

“There’s been no offer to reduce our fees even though we can’t access the full range of services,” they said.

“I’m disappointed they don’t value their members to the point that they understand what a significant inconvenience it is.”

The gym’s terms state that it reserves the right to add, change or provide suitable alternative facilities or “from time to time” withdraw parts of the gym for “any period”.

This includes for any repair, alteration, maintenance work or seasonal works.

The gym, which former tennis greats David Lloyd and John Alexander built for $16m (at least $31.4m today) in 1999, boasts leading business, political, legal, media and government identities as its members.

Based on successful British “premium” model, Next Generation Clubs Australia Pty Ltd generated almost $31m in revenue in 2022 from six gyms across the country and New Zealand, latest company records show.

Radio presenter Graham Cornes with Next Generation founder David Lloyd, media personality Ken “KG” Cunningham and the gym’s first chief executive John Alexander during the centre’s construction in 1999. Picture: John Sherwell

A CBS spokesman declined to provide details on a complaint “about the services provided by the trader”.

It is understood inquiries have also been made.

But he added: “Speaking generally, disputes of this kind will depend on the nature of the contract or agreement between the trader and the consumer.

“We would encourage consumers with concerns to contact us for advice.

“If consumers believe there has been a breach of contract, we would also encourage them to seek their own legal advice.”

A Next Gen spokesman did not respond to inquiries.

Originally published as Luxury North Adelaide Next Gen Memorial Drive gym facing member uproar amid backlash over poor services