Gym sponsors Bill Donkin (left), Peter Plummer, Ben Evans owner of the All Abilities gym, Hastings, helps John Reeves at the official opening. Photo / Warren Buckland
Ben Evans says he's humbled by the support of the community that has helped him officially open the free 'All Abilities Fitness' gym in Hastings.
Evans, a personal trainer and president of NZ International Taekwondo Federation (NZITF) officially opened the doors of the gym, a New Zealand first, today.
The gym at 115 King St South caters to the elderly, people with special needs, mental health issues and at-risk youth.
"Our goal for this gym is to provide a safe holistic environment in a non-judgmental training atmosphere," he said.
"We felt joining a gym is expensive in general. We have always wanted to provide to those who couldn't afford the gym and support our elderly, those with disabilities (intellectual or physical), mental health, youth at risk and the low decile youth.
"The gym has specific criteria and will be working with community organisations with those above they are involved with."
"We are open to all to make contact with us and will take each case as it comes. We are happy to support schools with kids too."
David Ferguson, teacher aide at Havelock North High, who was present at the opening along with some students, said the gym bridged a gap in the community.
"We have some [special needs] students come here every Monday for taekwondo," Ferguson said.
"Ben has set up an amazing facility for anyone who needs it.
"It would have been good to have the council involved."
Adelene Eastwood, support person for Idea Services, who was also at the opening said the gym would make a "huge difference" to their community.
"The clients typically don't have a lot of money, so it's good that it's free so their health and wellbeing can be supported.
"There are quite a few clients in wheelchairs as well and the SkiErg will be a great help for them cause they will be able to use it."
California Poipoi, Idea Services client, said she'd being doing taekwondo at the premises every Wednesday to maintain her health.
"I used to be diabetic and the exercises have helped with the weight," she said.
"My partner is going to come here to use the gym."
Evans said the gym was a "dream come true".
"We feel we have done this ourselves having community sponsors above involved in this, it is the first gym in NZ which is free to support our targetted community," he said.
"I feel this will be a great place to be and am proud we can continue to give back to our excellent community who need this."
Evans said, while it was heartening to have so much community support, he was disappointed about what felt like a lack of help from regional leaders.
Hastings District mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said it was "fantastic" to hear about the opening and added that the council's youth team was working with Evans, trying to help get him some funding.
"They have asked him to come back to them with a proposal of what he needs," she said.
"Each year our council allocates $270,000 to community groups through our Community Grants Funds.
"I would encourage Ben and the All Abilities Fitness Gym to apply to the fund in the future.
"I look forward to going down and having a look at what Ben is trying to achieve at All Abilities Fitness Gym."