SuperGold Card for gyms?

Believe it or not, Nick Devcich is 81 and works out regularly. The mayor reckons Nick's got the right attitude - and Westwave gym should be free to senior citizens. Joanna Davies reports.
At 9.30am, Westwave's gym in Henderson is relatively busy. More than 20 women gather on the mezzanine floor for a boxing-style aerobics class, and younger guys compare the weights they are lifting.
Among it all, Nick Devcich finishes his workout. He can keep up with all the younger fitness addicts on the weights, even though he's 81.
"A lot of people say I don't look my age, but that's because I exercise," he says. "My trainer tells me that I lift more weights than some of the young boys here."
Mr Devcich has come to the gym every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning for "more than several years", and believes it's about time more seniors were encouraged to do the same thing.
"Every three months I go to the doctor for a check-up and he always asks me if I'm still going to the gym. It makes his job easier if I keep going."
Mr Devcich wants Westwave's gym membership fee to be cheaper for senior citizens. He's gone to the top with his request by speaking with fellow gym member, and Waitakere Mayor, Bob Harvey.
"I think I pay about $645 for my membership, but for someone who's on a pension that is quite a lot of money," he says, pointing out that reducing the price will help more seniors stay in shape and avoid health complications.
"I've been to a lot of funerals and the people have been younger than me," says the retired pharmacist. "A lot of these people weren't even ill, they just faded away. If they exercised more, their whole attitude would change. You become more alert, and you just feel better."
The mayor wants to go one step further and make Westwave free for Waitakere citizens older than 65, between certain hours of the day.
"I think it's time that we started looking after our elderly," says Mr Harvey.
"This city does so much for young people and I think it's time that we did something for the people that have spent their lives in this community."
Mr Harvey has taken his proposal to the council, but is writing a further report before a decision is made.
He wants the gym to be free between 6am and 9am, a few days a week, when SuperGold Cards are presented. He says the costs will be minimal to ratepayers.
"Someone told me that this would cost $300,000, but you've got to be joking.  The amount of older people who use the gym would be less than 20 per cent of the members, and I don't think the Auckland Transition Agency would bat an eyelid if this goes ahead."
As for Mr Devcich, he's going to carry on at the gym regardless.
"I thought I'd only live 'til 80, but I'm 81 now and I think I can keep going until 85."
Westwave for seniors
Westwave already offers special prices to seniors for casual visits and memberships. It costs $12.50 for a casual visit, or $8.30 for a group fitness class and $6.20 for an aqua aerobics class. Concession prices are $100 for 10 visits to the fitness centre, $66 for 10 group fitness classes and $50 for 10 aqua aerobics classes.