The Roanoke and Botetourt Athletic Clubs are changing their membership guidelines. The changes come after a lawsuit was filed by a gay couple on June 27 claiming they were kicked out of the gym.
Will Trinkle and his partner Juan Granados say they were kicked out of the club after signing up for a Family Membership.
A message sent out to gym members says they "have expanded our Family Membership into a new Household Membership." The message states that RAC and BAC's definition of a membership consists of a primary member and up an additional household member that lives in the home. That also includes any dependent children under the age of 22 who also live in the home.
The Roanoke Athletic Club and Botetourt Athletic Club are owned by Carilion Clinic. Carilion Clinic says club dues will not change.
Carilion spokesperson Eric Earnhart says they have not received a copy of the lawsuit filed by Will Trinkle and his partner Juan Granados, so this change is not in direct response to the lawsuit.
However, Earnhart said that their customers have spoken loud and clear.
Trinkle is vacationing in Maine, but his attorney John Fishwick says Trinkle s "very pleased' with Carilion's new policy. Fishwick says they didn't have any indication Carilion was planning on making this change.
As far as the lawsuit goes, Fishwick says it's too early to say whether or not they will proceed with it, but his side got the outcome they wanted.
Fishwick also told WDBJ7 that it took a lot of courage to bring this lawsuit.
Click here to read WDBJ7's original story.
Here is a copy of the statement sent out to club members:
Dear RAC/BAC members,
We want to let you know that the Roanoke and Botetourt Athletic Clubs are making a change in our membership guidelines. We will be distributing an email blast to all members, but because the change is important and effective immediately, we are sharing the news on Facebook as well.
Since opening our doors over three decades ago, we have always strived to provide the very best in service, programs, and staffing. Our goal has been, and always will be to encourage and inspire health and wellness among all members of the communities we serve.
In keeping with this goal, and in recognition of the many contemporary households that can benefit from our facilities through discounted membership fees, we are pleased to announce that we have expanded our Family Membership into a new Household Membership with the following criteria:
Household Membership:
A household consists of a primary member and up to one additional household member that permanently lives in the household, and any of their dependent children under the age of 22 who also reside in the household on a permanent basis.
Club dues will not change; dues for the Household Membership will be the same as the Family Membership it is replacing. There is no requirement to amend your membership, but should this change be advantageous to you, please contact our sales office. If we may answer any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
We thank you for your continued patronage and will never take that for granted.
With sincerest thanks,
Bud Grey, VP, CC
