Action Line - #80403 - Gym aerobics classes

  • Published
  • By Anonymous
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Complaint:

I went to the aerobic classes in the gym faithfully 2-3 times a week over the past 20 months; these classes would be packed everyday. I truly enjoyed the classes and the instructors. I would see these classes change people's lives as they became more fit and healthy.

The instructors recently lost the contract and there haven't been any true replacements since then. The classes the gym is offering now don't even come close to the classes once being offered.

With the Air Force preaching physical fitness and the big push for a healthy life style from the top down, this to me isn't a very good trade off. I don't know the ends and out of what happen with the previous instructors, but it leaves me to wonder if the good of the Incirlik community was concerned in the math. I would really love to see some plans for future classes/instructors for the near future.

Thank you in advance for your time and help. 

Response:

Thank you for taking the time to voice your concerns about the Fitness Center group exercise classes, as this gives me a chance to dispel any rumors that might be out there.

I agree that offering group exercise classes is a great motivator to get individuals to workout and we are working very hard to bring some of the classes that you love back to you. The previous instructors were up for a renewal of their contract, which meant they would continue to be the sole provider of this service performing at the cost outlined in the current contract.

When the contract came up for discussion, however, the contractor no longer wished to perform at that cost. In other words, they were requesting more money. When this occurs, the entire contract must be advertised and opened up for new bids to ensure that the government is paying a fair price.

From the time that 39 SVS and 39 CONS were notified that they would no longer perform after 31 March at the set price in their contract, there was not enough time to open the contract up for bids and get a new one in place before the previous contract expired. Short answer...by informing us late of their desire for more money, we are forced (by law) to re-bid the contract.

Since then, however, the Fitness Center Staff has done an amazing job of stepping up and putting together some group exercise classes to offer until a new contract is in place. As a matter of fact, we have been advertising for some time to get instructors in the gym, you may have seen these advertisements on the commander's access channel.

For a current schedule of classes being offered, please feel free to stop by the Fitness Center or contact them at 676-6086. Please remain patient as we work towards bringing back additional classes to the Fitness Center. They will be back!