Blogging local government in and around South Carolina’s capital city

Last night, Columbia City Council members voted 4-2 to buy a one-year membership to Gold’s Gym for police officers. It cost $15,584.

The news generated some comments like this tweet from Ashley Cole:

“So, umm, is the police chief going to make them all go now that we’re paying for it?”

And this email to council members from George King:

I think gym memberships is a great idea for our police officers. However, please help me understand why Council would vote to use “our” tax dollars to pay for GOLD’s GYM memberships when the Drew Wellness Center has the same or better facilities and already costs the taxpayers almost $700,000 per year?

Police officer memberships at Drew would be a great way to help offset, in part,some of that cost to the City taxpayers!

It’s true that the city-owned Drew Wellness Center loses about $700,000 every year. And it appeared last night that council members were going to vote against this proposal for that reason (council members Daniel Rickenmann and Leona Plaugh still voted against it). But Police Chief Randy Scott was able to change their minds.

Here’s how City Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine sees it:

I am a big proponent of Drew.  I am probably the only council member who works out at Drew personally.  But with that said, I think the Gold’s membership is the best options for our officers.

The police chief has established physical fitness standards for all officers at the Columbia police department.  All of our officers do not live in the City of Columbia and therefore, requiring that (they) only have the options to go to one gym that is located in the central city is not realistic.  Golds gym has locations in Irmo, NE Columbia, Forest Dr and Lexington.  This allows the officers the flexibility to go to a gym located near where they live and that is open more hours. (Golds open 5 AM- Midnight, Drew opens 5:30 AM – 9 Mon – Fri and 8-8 on Sat and 1:30-6 on Sun)  Additionally, the cost of this membership amounts to about $44/yr per officers.  As opposed to Drew Wellness cost city employees $210/yr. I think this is the best option for our officers and is at a great price.

And Scott said police officers don’t automatically receive the gym membership. They have to sign up for it.

UPDATE: Several of you have asked, “What happened to the gym on Hampton Street?”

The city has a gym on Hampton Street that is open to city employees. They can pay $25 a year to use it. But Police Chief Randy Scott said he wanted his officers to have free access.

“The bottom line is it would be hard for me to impose a mandatory physical fitness standard with respect to hiring and promotion if I’m not affording them the resources and ability to improve themselves,” Scott said. “This does not take the place of any city facility. It enhances the ability for officers to have access to work out. I’m not trying to replace or shut down any city gym.”