Inspira ends non-medical fitness programs at Cumberland, Salem sites

VINELAND — A decision at Inspira Health Network to leave the physical fitness business to area YMCAs and private companies is sending about 2,500 South Jerseyans looking for someplace new for their workouts this summer.

Inspira Fitness Connection, a separate operation from Inspira therapy programs, operates from a free-standing facility on West Sherman Avenue in Vineland. It also operates on smaller scales within Inspira hospitals in Bridgeton and in Elmer.

A spokeswoman for Inspira said Fitness Connection clients were told last week the gyms will close on June 30. Customers who paid for time past that date are getting refunds, while Inspira also is in contact with the Vineland YMCA and others about taking Inspira clients.

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Vice President Kathleen Scullin Marinelli said Thursday Inspira wanted to notify clients well ahead of the closing and assure them of refunds. There is no impact on any medically prescribed physical therapy programs.

“Some people have very strong feelings about it,” she said. “And we’ve been a part of their lives through thick and thin, and raising kids, and then retirement.”

Scullin Marinelli said what’s behind the decision to get out of fitness business is that space for regular medical programs is tight and getting tighter. Inspira is growing in patient numbers and services, she said.

Scullin Marinelli said Inspira will not be selling the Fitness Connection building in Vineland. Its Sports Rehab Care operation operates from a section of the building. Inspira views the building as the future site for other as yet undetermined medical programs.

“We have a study underway right now to evaluate the building requirements,” Scullin Marinelli said. “The (Vineland) building’s been there more than two decades. So, we need to evaluate the building requirements and some of the … needs that we identify in our Community Health Needs Assessment.”

Scullin Marinelli said reviews also are happening with the Bridgeton and Elmer buildings.

“In terms of this other space, the community fitness space?” she said. “In our estimation, we have community partners in the fitness business that have much longer hours of operation and less expensive memberships.”

Vineland YMCA representatives will be at the Vineland facility Monday morning to meet with clients. “They have a great deal of programming for our senior citizen clients,” she said.

“Where possible, we’re working with our community partners to offer membership discounts to our clients,” Scullin Marinelli added.

Fitness Connection has a small number of full-time and per diem employees. They are being advised to consider applying for open positions in other departments within Inspira, she said.

Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.

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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Inspira dropping gym business, needs space for medical services