Source
r/AskSF•
nmj510

Resident gym closed due to vaccine mandate?

Has anyone else's residence gym closed down due to the most recent vaccine mandate? The HOA where I live has decided they cannot manage the mandate so they've decided all together to close the gym.

I'm infuriated over this. Hoa dues aren't cheap and are going up this year. I'm pissed to pay for services that aren't being rendered.

is this vaccine mandate just cause to restrict us from the gym? Im fully vaccinated btw.

Posted Jan 31, 2022, 4:59 PM UTC

7937
DirtyColeslaw•

Do they have HOA meetings? Might be the best time to express opinions then. Otherwise sending an e-mail to the managers would also be a good way to let the team know.

From what I know, as long as you're fully vaccinated among everyone else, there's no reason to not operate. Sounds like they don't want to build out a system or keep track.

90
nmj510OP•

They said they don't have the man power to check everyone vaccine status so they rather just shut it down. I'm pissed off. I've written emails and they responded saying the board has consulted a lawyer and they're proceeding with closing the gym effective tomorrow. Won't be rep-opened until the mandate is over or next best solution.

31
IMovedYourCheese•

They don't need to check anything. My building's gym has a sign at the front door which says everyone must be masked and vaccinated. That's it.

44
mashtartz•

Can you just ask to be properly compensated?

35
juaquin•

Does the gym have access control (keycard)? If so, they could say "anyone who wants to use the gym, email us a photo of your vaccine card and we will enable your badge for the gym". Seems like that would be easier and wouldn't require stationing an employee at the gym entrance.

31
KublaKahhhn•

Lots of sound arguments in your favor but I think you’re gonna have a tough time if it’s true that their lawyer has made a decision.

10
itsjustinjk•

Ask for a reduction in HOA fees until it’s open. Have neighbors join forces and threaten legal action for reduced HOA. It’s not difficult to create a spreadsheet with all residents and ask for verification. Cut off key access to residents who do not comply. The gym in my complex is a programmable key. Not sure if your complex is similar.

7
hella_cutty•

Would you be willing to pay more in HOA fees so they could afford to pay someone to manage?

Alternatively, could talk to them about bring some of the equipment outside, like if you have a pool area or courtyard.

Maybe you could borrow equipment and since no one will be using the gym and bring it into your unit until they re open.

0
dsnarrr•

The mandate is quickly on its way out so maybe just workout somewhere else for a few days and save your emotional energy for something else. But you’re right to be upset, I’m sure your HOA fees more than cover the cost of having a vax verification system in place.

-2†
caliform•

lol, source that the mandate is on the way out? Because I am pretty sure they just want to further tighten it with booster shot requirements. People love the mandate in SF.

7
RalphSchmaccio•

HOAs basically can operate unilaterally as they please. Your best recourse is to run for the HOA or lobby the people on it and try and get them to change their opinion. But they have to stay compliant with the regulations. I'm in property management and I've seen a lot of places just close their gyms because of the regulations- you're lucky yours stayed open as long as it did! Sounds like they'll open it back up when they can.

33
nmj510OP•

Thanks for responding. I do appreciate the extra insight as I'm not 100% familiar with this subject.

7
RalphSchmaccio•

Yup. Liability mitigation is huge for property management and so most places that are risk adverse were just like, "welp, just close it, we'll save on staffing costs anyways!" and just shut down the entire time. Like I said, it sounds like you have a good building and they'll open it when they can.

Also, if you like your building otherwise I do encourage you to run for the HOA. HOAs need people on them who don't really care about being on the HOA, that's how you keep them reasonable. When the petty autocrats are the only ones who run for them, that's how you get nightmare HOAs.

12
nmj510OP•

It's only been reopened a few months now and even that's come with tons of back and forth closures. It hasn't been smooth sailing and my mental health has taken a toll. I live far from another gym and it's an added cost to go elsewhere (gas, membership, time).

5
Inevitable_Celery_39•

Being lazy and collecting free money is what they are doing. Small gyms with minimal staff have figured it out. This isn’t hard. Upload documentation and your key card is validated to enter. No one needs to be checking every time.

28
itsjustinjk•

Exactly what I suggested. Set a deadline. Request verification by that date. Cut off key access to those who are not in compliance.

5
endurancejunky•

I’d be willing to bet the HOA is dealing with some anti-vax residents. If it truly is lack of manpower, then volunteer to help out. You’re an owner, it’s your space, and I’m sure there are other folks like you who’d be happy to be deputized to check vaccine cards/masks when they’re working out.

16
nmj510OP•

Oh it's tons of anti-vaxxers here. They're so toxic, that they pull down mask signage in halls and elevators. It's evident who they are because they've NEVER been seen with a mask even in the beginning.

28
vryhngryctrpllr•

Sucks. I would be quite tempted to complain if those residents don't comply with HOA regulations to the letter in the future.

16
caliform•

Kind of an incredible stretch to blame a shitty HOA closing a gym because they can spin pocketing the savings into a COVID-cautious thing on residents, but okay.

1
endurancejunky•

Huh, what savings? OP clearly said HOA. This is not a commercial apartment building, it's a condo building.

If not for the political situation, the gym would be open, tenants would self-select to NOT go if they are not vaccinated and willing to wear a mask. Instead, the *volunteer* condo board have to police the mandate. If you've ever done that job, you know how shitty it is in the best of times, and this is an ask too great.

6
caliform•

Then it sounds more like the HOA board is beholden to absurd COVID-panickers / people who were shopping for a cause to shut the gym down. There's no reason you can't just put a notice on the wall and be done with it.

-1
joshcandoit4•

I think you originally replied to the wrong message. Maybe you meant this one?

1
solovennn•

Yes.

Or closing early. Mine was closed 12nn yesterday 😒

6
000solar•

Yup, mine's been closing and opening depending on the changing city regs.

4
QV79Y•

Mine’s been closed all along. The sign says they can’t meet the legal requirements for opening such as for ventilation and monitoring. What can they do? Homeowners would have to pay for upgrading the ventilation and for staff to monitor who’s using the gym.

3
Karazl•

My apartment has opened and closed to gym at various points, but I can't understand the logic of doing it now. Nothing in the newest guidance is at all new, this is what we had preomicron.

3
Turkpole•

I’m sorry this is so ridiculous! Strongly encourage you to bring the fight

3
rioting-pacifist•

How do you access the gym? If it's using a fob can't they update the fobs so only those that have proof of vaccination have access?

Perhaps i'm not understanding your setup.

3
nmj510OP•

This place is ancient as fuck. That options existing is highly unlikely but I'll raise it.

5
obsolete_filmmaker•

if youre renting from the condo owner you can go to the rent board and petition for lowered rent for reduction of services.

3
gnopgnip•

Yes it is true, if the HOA fails to follow the law the health dept can shut down the gym and fine the HOA.

If you have a keyfob system now this is pretty easy to handle. Other options are to poll the homeowners and see how many vaccinated homeowners there are, if it is worth taking on this risk without having an attendant.

3
iambrucetheshark•

It sucks for sure, but it's a liability and staffing issue for them. Wouldn't want to have to increase dues to cover salaries for staff to constantly check for vaccines, right?

Several buildings I know of just shut their gyms down during the pandemic so as not to be out of compliance.

1
SF_is_Hamsterdam•

Yup, my building's gym has been closed since the pandemic started because they didn't want to deal with the changing regs. Sucks but I started working out outside.

1
drstock•

Our gym was closed for a while last year but reopened in June and has remained open since.

1
OrnaMint•

Ask to speak to the manager.

1
Earthofperk•

We just enforce masking

1