Gymnastics program in search of new facility

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

The Strathmore gymnastics program is on life support after Jumphouse announced plans earlier this spring to open a new building for their cheerleading program.
For over 10 years, the Strathmore Silhouettes have trained underneath the Jumphouse roof.
Jumphouse announced plans on May 22 to transition into a new building and a new business model that will focus strictly on tumbling and cheerleading routines.
The Strathmore Silhouettes Parents Association (SSPA) has taken a new direction with the addition of invested community members to go from looking after the competitive gymnastics program to now looking at how to keep gymnastics for all kids in Strathmore.
The move to a new building and termination of their current lease means that the gymnastics program is now grasping at straws in attempts to find a new building to keep the gymnastics programs alive.
Currently, Strathmore has a competitive gymnastics program, the Silhouettes, along with housing over 500 kids a year in the preschool and recreational programs.
The Jumphouse lease runs out Sept. 1 and the gymnastics program has nowhere else to go to continue their program.
“I can’t imagine life without gymnastics in Strathmore,” said Silhouettes Head Coach Tara Smith. “I’ve been involved with gymnastics in Strathmore for over 20 years and I’ve seen it grow and develop. It is a vital part of recreational activity.”
Purchasing the old Jumphouse building is one option Smith and her SSPA team is looking into, but it would require some upgrades. The SSPA is looking around for local funding to keep the program afloat.
“We are looking into acquiring some grants for funding, but that will take some time. Off the top of my head, we probably need roughly $50,000 to purchase used equipment and for building renovations, and another $12,000 for the first and last month of the lease,” said Smith.
The equipment needed to continue training and exercising would be balance beams, even and uneven bars, trampoline and a spring-loaded floor. slong with a foam pit.
Many years ago, the Silhouettes used to set up and tear down gymnastics equipment at Brentwood Elementary School.
“It wasn’t an ideal situation and we couldn’t get a proper spring floor to train on. It might be something we look at to keep the program going while we try to figure out our next move,” said Smith.
Gymnastics is one of the sports that many parents stick their children in to help the develop athleticism at an early age. Gymnastics works on coordination, balance, flexibility and strength; attributes can be building blocks for other activities.
Without a gymnastics program in town, families will have to head into Calgary to continue training.
“As a parent with a kid in gymnastics, to lose the program will be really sad,” said Meagan Miller. “A lot of parents can’t make the drive into the city to train a couple times a week.”
The Silhouettes program will have to be on hold come September until a new space is found. The Silhouettes compete provincially and are part of the Alberta Gymnastics Federation, attending anywhere from 10 to 13 competitions a season. Smith and the Strathmore team train kids from preschool up to the age of 18. Strathmore gymnastics has also opened its doors to birthday parties, drop in programs and different fitness classes in the past.
“I’m not sure what the options are. We are trying to figure that out. We would love to get something up and running by September, or as close to that as possible,” said Smith. “We are committed to make it happen, even if it takes a little longer than expected. Strathmore needs a gymnastics program for the kids.”