JUNEE’S independent personal trainer will be slugged an extra $60 per month for using sports fields.
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It’s expected to add an extra $480 to group fitness class costs and an extra $240 for individual personal training over 12 months.
On a month by month basis it’s $40 for groups and $20 for individual classes.
That’s compared to Wagga City Council which charges just $196 annually for personal trainers using sporting grounds.
Bodyhype Bootcamp owner Tegan Buchanan said the changes would start to hit home once classes were held outside after winter with the price increased to cover the extra cost.
Miss Buchanan said she didn’t want to increase the price as it could discourage people from participating.
“I want to make it affordable for everyone, I don’t want to discourage people from getting healthier and fitter,” she said.
“You’d think they’d be encouraging people to exercise,” Miss Buchanan said.
Miss Buchanan said people using the service had seen dramatic changes in their lifestyle but the benefits weren’t confined to better health.
“A lot of mothers also bring their daughters,” she said.
"I understand the need for a fee, but I think it’s a little too high.
“Just because we’re a little town doesn’t mean we can increase the price, we need to keep things in Junee.”
Corporate and community services director John Whitfield said research undertaken to determine a price found no consistent approach around the state.
“We’ve come up with what we thought was fair, we needed to come up with a fee that wasn’t going to push someone out of business,” Mr Whitfield said.
Mayor Neil Smith said council kept sporting fields in good condition and was pleased they were being used.
He said the price was not about forcing people to use the recreation centre.
“At least we can see we’re not openly competing with them or pushing (people) back to our own business.”