Ottawa parents told Movati is closing its childcare service this fall

For many people, going to the gym is a place to stay fit, both physical and mentally. However, working out with a young child can be difficult.

Ottawa parents who rely on childcare at Movati Athletic have been told the popular gym is shutting down childcare services.

Karine Hallé is a mother of two children, including a one-year-old girl. It has been a different experience from when her four-year-old son was born, just prior to COVID-19 lockdowns.

"So, I did suffer from postpartum depression, like many other parents during COVID and it’s been a 360 experience this time around with my daughter. Having access to the gym, to the yoga studios, to other things like that to take care of my mental health," Hallé says.

Access to a gym is important to her, she says, for both physical and mental health.

"One in 7 women have postpartum depression, and having access to a facility where they can take care of their physical and mental health is so, so crucial."

She chose to join a Movati gym, saying it is because of access to the dedicated childcare area on-site while working out. Hallé has since learned that the service will be shutting down soon.

"Immediately, I kind of panicked. I was very worried, just knowing how important that one hour a day that I can go to the gym is for me and how health and fitness is important to me and so many other parents."

CTV News Ottawa reached out to Movati Athletic for comment, but did not receive a response. An email to some members at the Movati Train Yards location indicates the Playroom will close permanently on November 4.

"I have already cancelled my membership," Sohpie Torrinha says.

Torrinha is a first-time mother and makes the drive to Movati at Train Yards from Embrun.

"Being from Embrun, it’s about a 30 to 35 minute drive. With the play group and Playroom, it was totally worth it, but now it makes no sense for me to go there without the childcare."

An online petition asking to keep the playroom open has nearly 1,500 signatures. The petition says Movati is planning on closing the childcare facilities to use the space for a Pilates studio.

Parents will now need to look at other options.

"There’s nothing like this service here in Ottawa, so it’s something that I’m really going to have to sit down and think about," Torrinha said.