“We might be old, we might be disabled, but we’re still part of the community,” says Chris Walburn, 76, in response to the YMCA’s decision to cease operations at The Y Chifley Health and Wellness Centre (The Y).

Due to paralysis on his left side, Chris needs assistance with walking and he says most gyms do not have the necessary support staff to help him get to different machines – preventing him from being able to regularly exercise.

“I’ve been coming here for 16 years. I was referred by my occupational therapist because they had a special class here, which they still run, called mobilisers, which was designed for people who had had strokes or some other disability, to get them back on their feet and exercise,” says Chris 

“I need that  exercise, I just deteriorate if I don’t get it. And I enjoy coming here. 

“To my mind, it’s part of the health system, and it needs government support to keep it going.”

For Albert Oberdorf, 80, The Y has played a critical role in his recovery from blood cancer and prostate cancer.

Albert says he was given two options for a rehabilitation gym, an expensive private facility or The Y Chifley Health and Wellness Centre (The Y). 

“Fifteen years on, I’m still here,” says Albert. 

He says The Y is “probably one of the best gyms I’ve been to in five different countries,” but on March 12, the announcement of closure was given. 

“It was my 80th birthday… it wasn’t good news,” he says. 

“It’s a financial decision primarily, but secondly, it’s because they now worked out that they only deal with young people, not old.”

The Health Miniter Rachel Stephen-Smith hosted an information session on March 27 in an attempt to ease concerns about the closure. 

While Albert says that the meeting was welcomed and the government’s support left them feeling more assured, it is still unclear whether a new company able to take over the facility can be found in the short time span the YMCA has given. 

Former doctor Tom Walker, 88, is concerned they will be forced to go to the hospital for their rehabilitation exercise, a sentiment shared by Albert. 

“If 50 more people turn up at the hospital, it’s already overstretched,” says Albert. 

“It’s not because of want of trying, it’s just the number of people that they already deal with, the influx of 50 would be too much.”

“We need this facility,” says Tom.

“It’s a mental thing as well as a physical one. At the front, you’ll see a notice, ‘the gym that feels like family,’ and it does.”

“A lot of people, they’re on their own, so they look forward to coming and  catching up and maybe having coffee,” says Pam Harris, 75. 

“For me, three times a week it makes me get up and want to come and see people.”

“The great thing for me is now I’m on no medication,” says Tom. 

“I’ve got a bit of arthritis, but the strong muscles keep the joints stable.”

Pam, says the loss of The Y will have a large ripple effect on other people too, as students from the University of Canberra often do placements there as an introduction to disability care.

Another problem is that people don’t like change, says Tom, and The Y has become a staple part of many people’s routines all the while improving their health and keeping them out of hospital. 

“We like this facility, it’s got great access, disabled toilets, disabled parking out the front, you’re not fighting for parking, which is important to encourage people to come,” he says.  

“We’re comfortable here, people don’t judge you,” says Chris 

“If you go to a normal gym, you’ve got young fit people saying, who are these oldies? What are they doing here? And you don’t want to go to something like that.”

Tom, Chris, Pam and Albert all say the list of alternative gyms provided by the YMCA were inadequate for their needs, and will leave a large number of people, young and old, without an option for safe exercise. 

The YMCA lease ends on April 15.