by Andre Clayton
Reporter
Twinsburg Township -- Last November during his election campaign, Trustee Jim Balogh said he wanted to create a rebate program on fitness center membership fees for all Twinsburg Township residents.
Such a program became a reality June 11.
Township Trustees unanimously approved a resolution at that meeting that will allow for 50 percent off membership fees at the Twinsburg or Macedonia fitness centers for township residents.
"This is a good way to help township residents access these facilities," Balogh said, adding he feels residents will be interested in the program.
Twinsburg Director of Parks and Recreation Derek Schroeder said he is in favor of the program since it will boost membership at the Twinsburg Fitness Center and will not cost the city anything.
"Township residents will be charged the same rate, but how they pay for it is up to the township," Schroeder said.
To join the rebate program, township residents can go to the Township Hall and provide proof of township residence either by driver's license, voter registration card or utility bill and choose which of the two fitness centers they want to join along with the specific type of membership they want to purchase, according to township Office Administrator Anna Knoch.
The township, which has budgeted $50,000 for the program for this year, will not pay membership fees which exceed $250 per year for one household, according to the legislation.
Once an application is approved for fitness center membership, a resident can pick up their 50 percent rebate check at Township Hall. A resident then would use that check, along with their half of the cost, and pay the fitness center the full amount.
The approval process takes a week, Knoch said.
Balogh said the program did not meet any resistance.
"There is no added burden to [Twinsburg or Macedonia] since the township will manage and operate the program," Balogh said.
E-mail: aclayton@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3172