Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
CrossFit members urge council to reconsider Epic relocation plan, cite safety and programming loss
Summary
Multiple Epic CrossFit members and users urged the council to reconsider a planned relocation within the Epic recreation center, saying a smaller space lacks ceiling height and open area needed for CrossFit movements and that previous moves have disrupted the program's continuity.
A group of Epic CrossFit members told the Grand Prairie City Council Monday they are concerned about a planned relocation of CrossFit programming from the multipurpose court to smaller studio space in the Epic recreation center.
Speakers said the move would be the program's seventh relocation, harm member retention and limit safety and programming because core CrossFit movements require open floor space and tall ceilings for rigging and rope climbs. Speakers included longtime members and program supporters: Angelina Young (Indian Hills neighborhood), Kevin Rodriguez (member), Daniel Flores (member) and Joseph Arredondo (member). They described the multipurpose court as the only space in the facility that accommodates classes of 15-20 participants with equipment and said a smaller studio would force multiple staggered classes and leave members without access.
Young asked council for greater oversight and a reconsideration of the decision, saying the city's process lacked patron input and that the move appeared to prioritize revenue-generating uses such as pickleball over established programs. Speakers pointed to recent investments in resurfacing the multipurpose court and in equipment, saying repeated relocations raise fiscal-responsibility questions if spaces recently upgraded are repurposed.
Joseph Arredondo, who described himself as a CrossFit participant since 2020, asked the council to ensure any new space is adapted for advanced movements (taller rigging and reinforced ceiling access for rope climbs and barbell work) if the program is relocated. Other speakers offered to participate in planning and said the CrossFit program provides social and health benefits that they hope the city will preserve.
The remarks were part of the citizen-comments portion of the meeting; no council action on Epic facility programming occurred this evening. Council members acknowledged the comments and said staff and council would consider participant input as planning continues.
