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Jan 18

Unsanctioned Senior Fitness Class Halted – Webster-Kirkwood Times, Inc.

Fitness Comments Off on Unsanctioned Senior Fitness Class Halted – Webster-Kirkwood Times, Inc.

An ad-hoc senior fitness class conducted in Fenton for the past 30 years has been suspended.

While class instructor Dave Nieters said the popular fitness lessons at RiverChase Recreation Center averaged 25 to 30 participants, he told Fenton aldermen at their Jan. 9 board meeting that partakers were asked in early December about moving to the former library space near City Hall before being turned away completely from gathering at city-owned properties.

Fenton city attorney Erin Seele said the problem was that this particular class was an unauthorized program, and that no current municipal staffers could find any historical records regarding when or how the program

was initiated.

Seele said lack of proper authorization for the class puts undue liabilities on the city.

Nieters said hes been a Fenton resident for 15 years, and that he joined the class about 10 years ago. He said he became one of the instructors.

Seele said teachers of city-sanctioned classes are employed by Fenton, with the city having ultimate control regarding whats taught.

Nieters said the class is put on by the Arthritis Foundation, using exercise rubber bands, chairs, sticks and dancing exercises. He said when the class was asked to move to the former library, they requested and were told participants could continue to use the track at RiverChase. He said details were published in the citys newsletter, The Beacon, as well.

Indeed, the current, winter newsletter states: Senior Exercise A FREE, low impact exercise class that helps you stay healthy and active. Instructed by a group of volunteer seniors. Exercise consists of using chairs, dowel rods and extra-large rubber bands. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. *As of 1/2/20, located in Community Develop.

Due to recent construction at RiverChase, Nieters said they were asked to move to the past library space sooner, and thats when they were told they no longer could gather.

Janet Adkins, a Fenton resident since 1978, said the class was the best kept secret in Fenton, as she, too, asked board members for reconsideration of the program.

The class kept us moving, created friendships and healed people, proclaimed Adkins, who said the class was shut down with no warning.

Tye Lydon, Fenton parks and recreation director, said the RiverChase team called every person who might be connected to the class.

Adkins said they were admonished for not signing waivers or paying fees. Both she and Nieters said they then were told signing waivers would not do them

any good.

We were enjoying each other, and it would be my wish that Fenton and the RiverChase staff would revisit this situation, added Adkins.

Lydon said a complimentary Silver Sneakers fitness program was offered by various Medicare plans for the facility and some classes. Adkins said she paid once lately to go to the Silver Sneakers program, but isnt the age to qualify for it for another year and a half.

Nieters said that the group often went to lunch in Fenton after the class. Wed like to know what it would take to reinstate the class, he added.

Alderwoman Susan Jokerst encouraged leaders of this fitness class to attend the citys next park board meeting to explain how they were conducting the program.

It would be nice to see if another program could be created that was sanctioned through the city thats safe and legal, Jokerst said.

See the original post:
Unsanctioned Senior Fitness Class Halted - Webster-Kirkwood Times, Inc.

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