‘We should have the right to exercise’: B.C. gym owner decries $2,300 COVID fine for staying open

Brian Mark, co-owner of Iron Energy Fitness Centre in West Kelowna, says he doesn’t understand why gyms must shut down while other businesses, like shopping malls, can stay open.

A gym owner in the Okanagan says he’s been fined for keeping his business open despite orders from health officials to close due to COVID-19 concerns.

In late December, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced a slate of new restrictions in an attempt to protect hospitals from a surge in Omicron variant cases.

The restrictions remain in place until Jan. 18, and include the province-wide closures of bars, nightclubs, gyms, fitness centres and dance studios.

One gym in West Kelowna has stayed open, though.

And on Thursday, Iron Energy Fitness Centre co-owner Brian Mark told Global News that the gym had just been fined $2,300 and ordered to close, following an earlier warning from Interior Health.

Mark said Iron Energy isn’t anti-vax and has COVID-19 protocols, but he doesn’t understand why B.C. wants gyms shut down while other businesses, like shopping malls where the public can freely roam, can stay open.

“We are doing everything in our power to stand up for what’s right and fight this virus,” said Mark, adding he believes exercising plays an important role in combating COVID and improving mental health.

“The reason that we’re staying open is not only are we absolutely certain that this is helping the community, but I’ve had members come up to me and tell me straight up that the reason they’re sober is because they had the gym (open) over the holidays.”