Despite the pleas of several residents, the Cinco Ranch Property Owners Association Board of Directors has denied a request to allow morning “boot camp” workout sessions to continue at South Lake Park.
The early-morning workouts had been hosted by Katy resident Casey Castro with 12-20 Cinco residents and guests participating.
BOOT CAMP BOOTED – Cinco Ranch resident Tom Amoruso (left) and instructor Casey Castro (right) ask the Cinco Ranch Property Owners Association Board of Directors to allow “boot camp” workout sessions to continue at South Lake Park. The board voted to deny the request because it violated existing Cinco Ranch policies.
The sessions were halted after one resident complained the sessions were causing too much noise. The workouts were taking place 5 – 6 a.m. three times per week.
Cinco Ranch resident Tom Amoruso, one of Castro’s students, said he considered having the workout sessions in his neighborhood park “an amenity.”
“It’s like having a personal trainer. How is this different from having a personal trainer come to your house and then running through the parks?” Amoruso asked board members. “We were real disappointed when we were told they could no longer do it.”
Castro said having a group of residents in an organized exercise class also provided an added measure of security, not only for participants but for the entire neighborhood.
“They know they’re safe. They work out for one hour and then they go to work,” Castro said. “While we’re out there, other people who are out for early-morning walks also know they’re safer because their neighbors are around.”
Castro said 80 percent of his students were Cinco Ranch residents, with the remaining participants primarily being guests of Cinco homeowners.
He also said he had made changes in the sessions to keep from disturbing anyone.
“My first priority is to make the neighbors comfortable,” Castro said.
Other supporters said having Castro’s class was a reasonable use of the neighborhood park, pointing out that other Cinco Ranch amenities such as tennis courts and swimming pools were used for private lessons.
Those lessons, several of Castro’s supporters said, also involve private instructors giving lessons for profit while using Cinco facilities.
Board member Tim Dore compared the workout sessions to a group of residents getting together with a trainer.
“So basically, all you guys chipped in and got a personal trainer,” Dore commented.
Amoruso urged board members to grant permission for continued use of the park for the boot camp sessions.
“You’ve got an opportunity to give the residents something they can use,” he told the board.
After hearing the residents’ appeal, the board deliberated whether the workout sessions were in compliance with existing policies. Board members ultimately found that existing policy did not allow commercial or for-profit activities on association properties.
The board indicated it was unwilling to change that policy and voted to deny the request to continue the boot camp.
What about tennis lessons, swimming lessons, football practice at neighborhood parks? What a bunch of bull.
What a bunch of hypocrites.
please list which board members voted against it.