Dunedin's private gymnasiums are losing members and struggling to attract new ones because of the lower prices at the Moana Pool gymnasium, the committee heard.
Speaking on behalf of seven city gymnasiums, Chris Grave said Moana Pool - which is owned by the council - was ‘‘directly undercutting'' commercial gymnasiums.
The gymnasiums had been forced to hold their prices which would have been raised to offset increased costs if there was no competition from Moana Pool.
Mr Grave asked for the pool gymnasium prices to be increased so there was fair competition.
Private gymnasium owners have complained in the past the Moana Pool facility also allowed members to use the pool, and said private gymnasiums could not compete with its lower fees.
Asked by how much the prices should increase, Chris Thompson, of the World Fitness Centre, said the annual fee should be between $950 and $1050.
Moana Pool charges $618 a year for adult gymnasium and pool membership.
