The proliferation of fitness bootcamps in city spaces has prompted The Vancouver Park Board to require businesses that run exercise classes in parks to register and pay a $12.70 per hour fee. The new permit requirement took effect on June 1st and is likely in response to complaints about noise as well as the growing competition for space in parks around Vancouver.
Park Board Commissioner Aaron Jasper insists that “We are not trying to gouge people, we want to make sure that these businesses are legitimate and that we are managing the parks properly.” According to a story on CTV today, the Park Board has already been in touch with about 50 bootcamp operators to advise them of the permit requirement.
Park rangers will be responsible for patrolling the parks and ensure that the new rules are enforced.
Bootcamp operators contacted by CTV said they are less than enthusiastic to learn that they will have to obtain a permit to use local parks. “Our participants our wondering why when they already pay for parks through their tax dollars,” said Robert Hepper, owner of Kitsilano’s Ultra Fit Bootcamp.
