THE FIRST gym of its kind for any corporation was opened yesterday at the San Fernando City Corporation.

’It is one way of us demonstrating we care for our employees,’ Mayor Kenneth Ferguson said as he opened the facilities at City Hall yesterday, as part of its employee appreciation day.

The gym idea was the brainchild of the workers back in 2004. A space was eventually obtained under the City Hall’s auditorium, Marlene Coudray, chief executive officer of the Corporation, said.

’The employees have even started recruiting and making final arrangements to have it going,’ she said.

Employees will also be allowed to take a guest with them to utilise the gym facilities.

Ferguson told the employees to expect changes with the passing of the Local Government Bill.

’This might be the last function of this kind under the present system,’ he said.

He also said that with change, Chaguanas and Arima would become cities.

’The bill will provide for 12 instead of the present 14 municipalities, including two new cities- Arima and Chaguanas. Point Fortin will remain the only borough along with seven other regions. The boundaries of municipalities are expected to expand because of the reduction in the number of corporations. Each corporation will have a municipal council and executive council,’ Ferguson said.

He told the gathering that the bill was currently before a parliamentary committee.