Hello Everyone!

Because of all your support, the management of Northshore/Edward has agreed to meet next week with me and members of affected groups by the abrupt closure of the Edward-Elmhurst Heath and Fitness Center. 

Please note: I have  edited the original post. I had stated that we were not aware if Seven Bridges had a therapy pool - it does.  I want to convey only truthful information and admit when I don't have the facts straight. My apologies. I also found out from WAVES that there are hundreds of WAVES members in the area, not only dozens as I had stated in the original version of the post.

We've been getting lots of press!

Daily Herald: Edward-Elmhurst Health officials decide to close Naperville fitness center, upsetting residents

Chicago Tribune: Edward Hospital fitness center members push back against planned April 1 closure, launch petition drive

Naperville Sun: Naperville residents voice their ire over Edward-Elmhurst fitness center closing at council meeting

Our position is to keep the fitness center open indefinitely.  Northshore management has said in various venues that by changing scheduling at Seven Bridges that all the members can be accommodated.  We disagree for the following reasons:

1. The lap pool capacity over the two centers will decrease by 60 % from 10 lanes to 4 lanes and getting a lane at times people can attend is already challenge at both facilities.
2. For older adults and those with disabilities, aquatic activity is often the only choice and the roughly 60% decrease in pool space will be devastating to their health and well-being.
3. The locker rooms are approximately three times as far at Seven Bridges. which makes it nearly an insurmountable challenge to continue to exercise for our older and disabled members.
4. By anecdotal accounts, Seven Bridges is already crowded and no amount of scheduling will change that, only an expansion of that center would alleviate crowding.  Timing for people to go to the fitness center is crucial. People who work usually go before or after work so extra classes in the middle of the day does not expand capacity when needed. Older members will need transportation and many likely cannot drive themselves so changes will require transition. Also, the distance of Seven Bridges will take an extra 10 to 15 minutes to use, which before or after work could compel people to make a difficult choice between their health and picking up a child or parent from third-party care.
5. Members with sensory issues (for example, members on the autism spectrum) require slow and deliberate transition to new environments and one month is not sufficient.  Additionally, people with ASD often cannot cope with noisy and crowded environments which Seven Bridges would be.
6. The Naperville WAVES swim team has hundreds of members, including disabled.  This is a group of long-time friends for whom practices are an opportunity to improve and maintain both physical and mental health.

In summary, the abrupt closure is severely injuring the most vulnerable members of the community - the infirm and disables.  It is also ripping a hole in the fabric of Naperville. This center has been serving the community for 35 years and will decrease the well-being of a large portion of the city. 

Is this the kind of behavior we should expect from a healthcare institution?

And  what about all the employee of the center? I don't know the terms of separation, but anonymous reports I have received is that the handling of employee relations for the separation were poor.

Lastly, remember that Northshore is a company that had a $1.34 BILLION surplus for the last available fiscal year financial statements.  

I will keep you posted.  Thank you again for all your support!!

Sincerely,

Steve