WAC members upset over possible plans to remove club

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) – The New Hanover Regional Medical Center has applied for a permit to turn the Wilmington Athletic Club into a parking lot  and many members of the club are not pleased.

The WAC offers members several different activities to participate in.

However, the club activities are now in jeopardy if the parking lot plan goes into place. This would leave members without a place to go.

One class that the club offers is the Silver Sneakers class.

It is a workout class for seniors and these participants will now be without a place to work out if the club is removed.

“I’m very sad because I’ve become acquainted with some eighty people here and they’ve become my friends.” Pat Dagnon, a participant in the Silver Sneakers class, said. “So we’re all kind of scurrying what to do.”

To the members of the WAC, this place is more than a place to work out. The club is somewhere to be with friends and enjoy each other’s company.

“I hope that something can happen and they can think about that seriously and not close it down. Or they can find somewhere else we can all go together.” Keith Adams, another Silver Sneakers member, added.

The club’s location is zoned for office and institutional use, so the hospital must obtain a special-use permit to build on site.

The Wilmington Planning Commission met Wednesday at six to vote on the request and then turn it over to Wilmington City Council.