FED up fitness fans in West Kilbride are fighting to keep their gym open.

Last week the Herald reported the concerns of KA Leisure members in West Kilbride who were told that they would be left without a gym as there were no plans to re-open it on Monday, April 26.

So Julie McAvoy set up a petition to go to MSPs in Holyrood calling for the gym to be opened again and already over 150 people have signed it.

No one at KA Leisure would return calls or speak to any of the campaigners, informing them that they were waiting for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to make a statement about the re-openings of gyms.

Julie said: “Access to a gym should be available to everyone. The gym in West Kilbride was well used and should not stay closed.”

And in Kilbirnie, KA Leisure members who wanted to know if they had to move gyms from the state-of-the-art Garnock Campus to one of the town’s oldest buildings, the Walker Hall, had their fears realised when it was announced the fitness suite would be opening in the Walker Hall from Monday.

It is unclear if this is a temporary measure.

The Herald asked KA Leisure for a statement for last week’s article, they returned with a statement on Friday, April 23.

It said: “KA Leisure will be phasing the reopening of leisure facilities in line with the Scottish Government guidance, currently planned to take place from Monday, April 26, 2021 when Tier 3 restrictions will still be in place.

“The larger facilities will be first because of the impact of the restrictions on the operational costs that physical distancing and enhanced cleaning facilities bring.

“This means that we are unable to confirm a re-opening date for numerous facilities, including West Kilbride, at present.

“KA Leisure’s re-opening venue and restarting activity timeline is available at https://kaleisure.com/facility-activity-timetable/.”

When you look at the timetable for West Kilbride gym’s Fitness Suite, Evolve Studio and Aerobic Studio has, in bold type, TBC next to each category.

Unlike the other facilities with dates of April 26 and May 17, there is no indication that West Kilbride will re-open its doors for fitness enthusiasts.

One disgruntled member who asked not to be named, told the Herald: “All we hear about is how exercise is so important for your well being and mental health.

“But we are all desperate to get back into the gym only to find that it is not opening so where do we go? Do we have to travel to Largs or to Stevenston?”