The Wave protects diversity

I would like to respond to Ms. Coco's letter about diversity at The Wave. As a long-time member (since the grand opening) I have seen a lot of changes at The Wave driven by members' requests, demands and complaints, as well as the management just trying to streamline operations.

While I admit not all have been to my liking, I realize that I am not the only person at this club, and that it is a public place serving more than a thousand members and many walk-in customers from out of the area.

That being said, I would first like to clear up a couple of perceptions generated by the recent stories about the Christian spinning class that was canceled.

First, there is no music or TV played in the main areas of the club, only in the closed-off classrooms or the warm pool area during classes.

Second, Ms. Coco stated, "I regularly attend exercise classes at The Wave and often hear offensive lyrics that demean women." If you find the music played in those closed-off class areas offensive, you are free to talk to the instructor and/or the director to voice your concerns, and I am sure they will act accordingly.

Third, she stated, "I see shows that I find offensive being aired on the TV monitors." Most of the shows I have seen on the TVs in the exercise areas are set to news, sports, Oprah and the like, and if this offends you, I am sure you are aware that all of the TVs have a remote, and you can change the channel any time you want, not to mention that with the exception of three televisions (one in each dressing room and one at the smoothie bar), you have to tune in your personal headset to hear them.

I then would ask Ms. Coco, when was the last time you heard any religious music played at City Hall, the library, city council chambers, etc. I would dare to say never because they are publicly-owned facilities, as is The Wave, but the Peak facility (in Great Falls) you mention is not. Whether I agree or disagree with the current court precedent is of no matter; it is what it is.

I also would ask exactly how many spinning members she is talking about? News articles and Ms. Coco's statements made it sound like there were many, many members affected (a huge tide of discontent) and angry, and that the classes were full to capacity, but I am doubtful of that. I am guessing we are talking more like four-to-six regulars out of more than a thousand members. Maybe a solution to this is called a personal-listening device, like an iPod?

I guess to me the bottom line is that religion is a personal matter, and you have no more right to exclude people who don't believe in your religion or force them to listen to your religious music than they do if they wanted to play satanic music or Koran chantings at your class.

In the end, The Wave welcomes diversity; they do not discourage big people, small people, short people, tall people or people of color or different nationalities or religion from attending The Wave, so please quit trying to make it sound like they are anti-religion or secular zealots.

I do believe that the board should have "some" contact with the members, and maybe this hoopla will point them in that direction. Maybe a member or two on the board or as an advisory committee?

I think The Wave is trying its hardest to remain diverse and comply with the law and unfortunately cannot please everyone every time; and when it comes to religion, especially, it seems you will never please anyone.

Tracy Jones is a resident of Columbia Falls.