How Can I Get a Gym in My Coop?
I’m relatively new to my coop board, and would love to have a gym in my building (we are not allowed to have fitness equipment in our apartments). Does anyone had any experience had any experience in getting a gym in their coop? My apartment is in a neighborhood that lacks a gym in walking…
I’m relatively new to my coop board, and would love to have a gym in my building (we are not allowed to have fitness equipment in our apartments). Does anyone had any experience had any experience in getting a gym in their coop? My apartment is in a neighborhood that lacks a gym in walking distance, and our basement has lots of available space. It would be great to hear what sorts of set ups other buildings have recently put in (is there someone who works with buildings to coordinate getting equipment and insurance), costs and feedback from other buildings.
Thanks!
I spoke to our management company the other day, the actual increase in liability was $500 per year. Our building is looking at Gymsource which designs the space as well as supplies and services the equipment. There are other vendors in the city as well.
Your building’s managing agent should be able to get answers to some questions for you. In preparing your submission to the board, get an estimate on the increase in liability premiums, get a proposal for rent to buy and room layout from a vendor, and consider if there will be any modifications to the house rules and propose any changes. Get some letters of support from shareholders.
Make it easy for the board to say yes and they are more likely to do so. You want this so do the legwork.
thanks for the feedback. some additional information to clear up some confusion:
the gym would be in the basement. there are several unused/available rooms. we currently are under a contract with a storage company to provide storage, and we have a “do not compete” clause in the contract. when that contract expires in 2012, we have plans to put in additional storage.
i have casually spoken to 2 of the other board members (out of 8 total members) and both were definitely interested. at our annual meeting this summer, at least one shareholder expressed interest.
the building has over 100 units, and while i would imagine several people in the building would not use/be against this, i do think this would make the building much more attractive to people moving in, and would be a service for many in the building. i would not suggest raising maintenance fees across the board, but would suggest an additional fee for those who use it (we currently have a nominal monthly fee for bike storage).
i’d love to hear more about the additional liability insurance (additional cost, how to obtain etc), the lease to own option on the equipment or equipment rentals.
thanks!
People who want a gym should buy into my coop: the board is putting one in without so much as consulting shareholders.
Sounds like the opposition is either lazy, old, grumpy or fat. Maybe a combo of two or more.
Good luck.
“give me one hundred reasons why i can do something, instead of one hundred reasons why i can’t”
One of the first questions our board raised at the inception of our project was about liability. Rather than speculate on whether or not it would drastically increase our insurance, we asked our broker. As I said in my other post, the increase in liability insurance premiums will be marginal (I think like $100), certainly not enough to deter us from developing a proposal.
Gyms are the number one project that can increase the marketability of a building according to an article on http://www.cooperator.com. Prospective purchasers love them.
treadmills are crazy loud and vibrate the floor. I sure wouldn’t want that in the apt above me!
As a board member, I would have difficultly thinking of a gym as anything but huge management headache, maintenance issue, and a potential liability. There would be no way that I would support a proposal like that in my building unless it was accompanied by an additional fee for those tenants who choose to use the gym (and not just a blanket increase in co-op fees). The fee would cover the costs of adequate equipment and a contract with a professional company who would maintain the equipment and the space.
gym equipment is loud and annoying. i wouldnt want to live next to an apt with it.
Oh, god, that’s a stationary bike of course – unless you’re talking about a bike made of writing paper. Sorry!