Student Council rejected a controversal motion calling for a feasibility study that would examine the possibility of incorporating a gym into the Union, following a lengthy debate last Tuesday.

Proposing the motion, Union President Andrew Button-Stephens pushed for a feasibility study to consider the possibility of using Union space to accomodate a gym.

Andrew said, “we believe that there is a clear need for more facilities,” mentioning the need to assess available space, cost and planning information, before being able to make an informed decision.

gair rhydd editor Ben Bryant opposed the motion, suggesting that the sabbatical team had been divided on the issue because they felt that it was not the Union’s responsibility to provide these facilities.

He said: “I don’t believe that the Union should be meeting the University’s shortfall.”

Ben continued: “Space is at a premium in the Union, and we don’t want a quick fix. What is needed is the University’s investment into a large, multi-purpose gym that really meets the needs of its students. They own acres of land over at Maindy road that has been tentatively earmarked for research – why not pressure them to build a gym here?”

Student councillor Corey Shefman also raised concerns over the fact that using Union space for a gym may compromise other Union spaces and, if it replaced ground floor retail units as proposed, could potentially result in a loss of revenue for the Union.

The debate revolved around the role of the Union, with councillors feeling that the Union serves to provide representation, advice, meeting rooms and to affect change, rather than just facilities and commercial services.

Frances House suggested that a general consensus of students should be gauged to see whether people would rather sports facilities be built in the Union or elsewhere in the University. In response to this James Wood, Union Vice President argued that in order to consult the student population, a feasibility study must be carried out to see whether a gym would fit in the available space.

The feasibility study could cost up to £20,000 of University money, but it is likely that a redevelopment of the Union for a gym would cost millions.

Andy Button Stephens told gair rhydd, “I am dissapointed that this motion didn’t pass. This is such a contentious issue that I think that the whole student body should be allowed to make an informed decision about whether of not to have a gym in the building. A feasibility study would have allowed for this.”

Student Council also put a motion proposed to end the use of Fair Trade T-shirts on hold until several quotes from Fair Trade suppliers have been taken.

Last year a motion stating that all Union campaign T-shirts should be Fair Trade was passed by student council.

However, quoted prices up to six times those of non-Fair Trade T-shirts have raised questions over whether Union money could be better spent elsewhere.