Bond University on Gold Coast blocks general public from gym

A group of elderly residents are fuming at being excluded by a Gold Coast university gym despite having memberships for decades.

A GROUP of elderly Gold Coasters are fuming at being excluded by a university gym — despite memberships for decades — with the institution saying it has to cater for increasing student demand.

The upset group still get together socially but not at Bond University Sports Centre after it decided last year to cease memberships to the general public from 2019.

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The Bond University Sports Centre is no longer offering memberships to the general public in 2019 saying it has to cater for students and alumni. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

The ban extended to long-term members going for decades like gutted Mermaid Beach retiree Gail Dillon who had clocked up 28 years.

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As part of a transition, Bond allowed members of more than 20 years to go for free until December 31 when it cut off the general public.

But Mrs Dillon, 68, said the news was delivered bluntly with hundreds of longtime members impacted and their trainers upset too due to longstanding relationships.

“They say they want the gym for students but a lot of the times we go, if it wasn’t for us they wouldn’t have classes.

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Helen Thompson and Shirley Henley (front right) stand with Bond Uni gym ex members who have been going for decades Photograph: Jason O'Brien

“It’s not right to say we were taking student spots.”

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Husband John Dillon, in a letter to Bond, wrote while pleasing to see the development of Bond as a leading educator the new gym policy “has not been handled with professionalism or due care to gym members and staff”.

“Bond Uni Sports Centre has a proud history of catering for many groups in our community including Vietnam Veterans and other groups enabling them to enjoy exercise and social activities. This is to be terminated with no real explanation to those affected.”

A Bond University spokesman told the Gold Coast Bulletin: “In January, 2018, Bond University informed members of its decision to cease offering Sports Centre memberships to the general public on 31 December 2018. This decision was in response to the current and projected future increased demand for the facility by Bond University students and alumni.”