A ROW has broken out over refurbishment plans for the Rolls-Royce gym in Barnoldswick.

The argument began when Rolls-Royce Leisure announced it was going to replace the large open weights area with a small loose weights light training room, increase the size of the cardiovascular room, and create a fitness training room from the space saved.

However, some gym users have objected to the reduction in weights provision and a 124-name petition was gathered from objectors and sent to Rolls-Royce Leisure.

One of the objectors, Cheryl Myers, is a bodybuilder currently in training for the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation's World Championships being held in New York in November. She told the Herald: "I think this has been done very underhandedly and in a surreptitious manner."

Mrs Myers, who lives in Sutton, said one of the main attractions of the Rolls-Royce gym was that it provided a large amount of weight training equipment.

"If they go ahead with this refurbishment it will make it no different than any other gym in the area. I know there are lots of people who come from up to 20 miles away because of the weights available here," she added.

Mrs Myers said she was now having to look for an alternative training facility.

Former Rolls-Royce employee Pat Borman has been a member of the gym since it was founded 50 years ago and still visits three times a week at the age of 67.

He said: "I ran the gym for 25 years and I knew everything that was going on then and so did every other member. There has been no consultation or discussion with us about removing the heavy weights."

And Albert Fischer, who organised the petition, added: "In June this year, heavy weights were removed from the facility and locked away.

"Despite repeated requests for their return, the equipment remained locked away. This prompted a small number of members, including myself, to initiate a petition requesting member representatives be included at meetings of the gym's management to improve relationships and communications generally," he added.

Mr Fischer said he had since received a letter from Ian Burgess, chairman of the Rolls-Royce Leisure management committee, in which he was told his gym membership had been cancelled, along with that of his son's, because of "unacceptable behaviour".

Mr Burgess told the Herald that a review had shown some of the facilities at the fitness centre needed updating.

"As most of the improvements needed are within the current free weights room, it will be necessary to close this part of the fitness centre for a short period of time," he said.

A review was also undertaken of the fitness market and as a result, further improvements were planned to respond to market trends and encourage new members. "This will include extending the cardiovascular room and introducing additional equipment. There will also be a room available for fitness classes," added Mr Burgess.

He said trends within the fitness market showed a move away from free weights towards general fitness, with emphasis on cardiovascular training.

A small free weights room will still be available for use by members, he added.