Recently I bemoaned the decision of Fernwood gym at Broadway
not to provide its patrons with creche facilities. This seemed particularly remiss given its claims to be female-focused (and a substantial sub-set of women have young children and, ergo, need child care).
Well, after more searching I discover that only one gym within two+ kilometres of Chippendale offers creche facilities. Perhaps we inner city mothers are a dying breed. Not from the number of strollers I see around Newtown and Glebe. I guess the gym owners have done their cost/benefit analysis and come down on the side of the childless.
Unfortunately, the one gym with a creche (to remain nameless because I do applaud their willingness to support mothers to pursue fitness) hadn't done much more than provide a closet and a supervisor. The space was far from inviting with its stench of urine, array of broken plastic toys and chorus of crying youngsters. The search continued.
Enter Victoria Park Pool. Why didn't I think of it sooner? We spend so much time kicking the ball around or dropping in for a swing, swim or 'cino but I'd never really noticed the small gym and hadn't registered the provision of child care either.
On top of it all, the membership fee is lower than any other gym I investigated. And it's metres only from my front door.
Love ya Vic Park!
By the way, the new extensions are well and truly underway. Check out the plans at
Victoria Park Pool upgrade. Apparently they're expected to open next month. For those eager to start their summer swimming regime, the pool is closed for six weeks from 12th September.
