While plans for improvements to its fitness gym remain in the conceptual stage, the Anna Maria Island Community Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, is taking heat from some island business owners.
The proposal involves expanding the center’s small fitness facility to include a top-notch fitness center with a snack bar and lounge on the second floor of the center. Designs for the fitness center are not completed and funding for the $500,000 project has yet to be secured.
Center executive director Cindy Thompson said the fitness gym is in the conceptual phase. The center board has ideas of how to generate funding for the improvements, including a collaboration with island real estate companies that will purchase memberships for visitors and donations from local businesses of time and construction materials.
Thompson said the the fitness gym could generate a consistent stream of revenue for the center and help the nonprofit reach the goal of being what she refers to as “best in class.”
However, not everyone has had a positive reaction to the concept.
In a March 17 email, Brenda Canning, owner of Island Fitness, 5317 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, asked for community support and help from Holmes Beach officials to oppose the proposed gym at the center.
Canning said the expansion would be harmful to Island Fitness and AMI Health and Fitness, 5364 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, operated by Jen Crady.
Crady did not return messages for comment.
Thompson said she spoke with Crady and Canning to address concerns about the center plans and she hoped there would be a way for the three operations to work together.
“We’re one of three fitness centers on the island, the only one in Anna Maria,” Thompson said. “We’ve always been a fitness center.”
The present building with a small fitness center opened in 2007.
Holmes Beach Commissioner Judy Titsworth expressed a different opinion about the center’s future plans.
She is concerned about the center being turned into a resort fitness gym and spa geared more toward visitors than islanders.
“I think it takes away from the community vibe of the center,” Titsworth said. She went on to say she would like to see more emphasis on getting back the community feel of the center and encouraging involvement by permanent residents.
“I hope they really, really consider it strongly before they sell the soul of the center,” said Titsworth.
She said she supports the idea of Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson drafting a letter to the center board addressing their concerns, but, she added, the city commission presently has no plans to address the issue.