Firefighters say they’ve been “blindsided” by a Hobart City Council decision to remove the city’s aquatic centre from the Fitness Passport program.
The program allows emergency service workers and other professionals to access multiple fitness facilities, including the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre, for a single fee.
The Tasmanian Branch of the United Firefighters Union said the move, made without consultation, came as a shock to its members.
They believe it will “negatively impact” firefighters’ rehabilitation, health and fitness.
“This decision means that firefighters will be forced to choose which facility they will use rather than having access a diverse range of local fitness providers,” the union said.
City of Hobart CEO Michael Stretton said withdrawing from the program was about “ensuring fairness” in the community “by having fairer and more consistent pricing across the board”.
“Over the years, we’ve valued being part of the Fitness Passport program and welcoming its members into our facilities,” he said.
“However, after carefully reviewing the program, we’ve realised that continuing this partnership doesn’t allow us to provide the personalised care and value we strive for with all our members.”
Current Fitness Passport holders can continue accessing the facility under existing arrangements for the next two months until April 28.
The council is offering Fitness Passport holders a “discounted rate for a limited time” to transition to direct membership with the aquatic centre.
