Two years ago, as part of the City of Gainesville’s wellness initiative for their employees, the city began providing Zumba classes.
The classes were originally in the Gainesville Regional Utilities center and held about 15 city employees. Within two classes, instructors Christiane Machado and Maria Adela Ramirez knew they had to expand.
Soon after, the classes relocated to the Thelma A. Boltin Center, located at 516 NE Second Ave. With a larger location, authorities agreed to open the Zumba classes to the public five times a week.
At first, there was some resistance from the city due to liabilities. Both sides — the city and the instructors — compromised that every person had to sign a waiver to participate.
Months after the classes opened to the public, children started attending with their parents. As part of the contract with the Zumba instructors and the city, no children were allowed for safety reasons.
Machado said since the classes began, no accidents occurred until April 15 when an adult student slipped.
Complaints about children attending led to a disagreement between the instructors and the Risk Management Department, which funded the classes.
Rod Clark, Program Coordinator for the City of Gainesville, contacted Machado to cancel the classes April 15.
“Our job is to reduce the risk of people getting hurt,” he said.
Machado and Ramírez took the issue to the city. On Thursday, about 60 supporters marched to the Gainesville City Commission and gave emotional testimonies, including someone who overcame the effects of a stroke after they started attending Zumba classes.
“Zumba gives you a rush — we all say we get high off of Zumba,” Machado said.
The commission passed a motion to keep classes the going. City Commissioner Todd Chase donated part of his 5 percent raise to continue the program.
The classes will be on hiatus from April 30 to May 15.
Once classes resume, the city will require participants to donate between $1 and $5 for the class, Machado said. Chase’s donation will be placed in a scholarship fund for those who cannot afford the class.
Now, children are allowed to attend the class.
“It was the work of all of us,” Machado said. “We just want to shake our tail feathers. We don’t want to do no harm.”
