Kokkola to close popular municipal gym as public fitness spaces decline

Finland has shut down 81 municipal gyms over the past decade, leaving fewer than 680 still in operation, according to a report by Yle.

Most of the remaining facilities date from the 1970s or 1980s, with many burdened by deferred maintenance and failing to meet modern standards for accessibility and ventilation. Population shifts and school closures have also contributed to the decline.

In Kokkola, the gym at the Urheilutalo sports hall will close this autumn when the new Kokkola Areena opens, replacing it with a commercial facility. The closure has raised concerns among long-time users, many of whom have trained there for decades.

Municipal gyms often serve as the only affordable option in smaller towns, particularly for low-income groups, seniors, and those with limited mobility. In larger cities, where commercial alternatives exist, these public spaces still provide critical access for those who cannot afford private memberships.

“This is about serving broad segments of the population and promoting their health,” said Tapani Laakso, project manager at the University of Jyväskylä’s Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences.

Price differences are stark: at Kokkola’s Urheilutalo, daytime single-entry fees for pensioners, students, and the unemployed are €2.50, while standard adult rates are €5.50. Monthly passes cost €32–37. Commercial gyms often charge €15 for a single visit, with monthly fees significantly higher.

Not all municipal gyms are closing. In Laihia, a former padel hall was converted into a local fitness space, drawing hundreds of new users despite price increases—annual adult passes now cost €180, up from €100.

“Municipal gyms are low-threshold, affordable places to start exercising,” said Minna Hankaniemi, Laihia’s leisure services chief. “We may not offer personal trainers, but we help people take that first step.”

Looking ahead, Laakso expects accessibility and senior-friendly services to become even more central, with potential for public-private partnerships. Outdoor gyms, of which Finland already has 1,650, are growing in popularity, though they do not replace indoor facilities in winter.

After the Urheilutalo gym closes, Kokkola’s city centre will have no municipal fitness facility. The nearest public options will be in Lohtaja and Kälviä.