‘Cover every single bill’: Kamloops gym owner says B.C. should pay if it can’t provide evidence of COVID-19 in gyms

KAMLOOPS — Economic recovery minister Ravi Kahlon’s hoping the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant, announced before Christmas that can now be applied for, will help businesses through a tough time.

However, many businesses say it’s a publicity stunt for the government and does little to help their bottom line.

“In a lot of ways, I think it acts as a headline that they’re trying to do something to help us out,” said primary owner of Tournament Capital Strength & Conditioning Kent Aitchison. “Realistically, if you did a deep dive into businesses, even my size, $2,000 to $5,000 doesn’t go very far. Rent or wages or parking costs are not even close to being covered.”

Aitchison says the grant money offered is pennies compared to the $25,000 a month of costs.

While the wellness clinic and youth programs are still running at Tournament Capital Strength and Conditioning, a big part of their business is the gym that has 225 members at $200 a month. Even worse, during this latest round of restrictions, is the gym could’ve increased their cash flow with people following up on their New Year’s resolution.

“The fitness industry, between Dec. 22 until Jan. 18, is a good acquisition time for us, so if we’re missing out on a bunch of potential clients in this window of time, not only are we missing out on their potential membership dues, if we could keep them as a long-term member there’s a compound effect of losses when we lose out on an optimal period like this,” said Aitchison.

David “Pup” Johnston from the Blue Grotto downtown is in a similar position to the gyms — closed down numerous times, including his own shutdown after a COVID-19 outbreak in October.

Johnston says with $5,000 for businesses with four to 99 employees and $10,000 for ones with 100 or more, small businesses won’t receive enough.

“A $5,000 grant to stay open is certainly not something to turn your nose up at, but it costs a lot more than that to run a business and have a brick-and-mortar business pretty much anywhere in B.C., let alone downtown, where the nightclubs and bars and restaurants are,” said Johnston.

Johnston says it costs $20,000 a month to keep the Blue Grotto running, and if it wasn’t for grant money from both the federal and provincial governments the venue would’ve closed by now.

“We’ve been very, very close to the edge a couple times,” he said. “People help like Creative BC and Factor [Canada] have helped a lot in all recording arts. They’ve allowed us grant money that has allowed us to stay open.”

Aitchison, like many other gym owners, wants the government to provide evidence of COVID-19 transmission. He says even with more than 60,000 visits in two years, there have been no cases.

If the government can’t back it up, he says it should then cover all the losses.

“Financially, if they’re really just going to target and say they’re helping us, I’d like to see some actual real help. Do a deep dive on our books, talk to our accountant and cover every single bill, and then we’ll keep our doors closed for as long as we need to.”