Parents seek town’s support for gymnastics venture

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

The Town of Strathmore is heading into a lengthy and onerous budget process this month and the Strathmore Gymnastics Centre is vying for a piece of the pie.
The not-for-profit organization, comprised of a group of parents originally from the Strathmore Silhouettes Parents Association (SSPA), are going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the ongoing practice of gymnastics in Strathmore.
In order to continue the gymnastics programs – which are currently stalled – the organization is seeking funds through grants, fundraising efforts and financial support from the Town of Strathmore in the amount of $33,500 – money, if received, that will be allocated to a spring-loaded floor, preschool-specific gross motor equipment and a large industrial-sized bouncy house.
Members of the Strathmore Gymnastics Centre attended the Sept. 19 regular town council meeting with a presentation on a multi-use facility catering to all ages. The pitch included information on opportunities for partnering with other local organizations, event hosting, birthday parties, teen recreational programs, drops ins, play dates, community events, fitness programs, private corporate team building events and childcare.
“What began as a desire to keep gymnastics in Strathmore has turned into a desire to create a community space that will engage our community in healthy lifestyles and connection… we really want to include everyone in Strathmore in this new facility,” said Carly Flaws, a member of the Strathmore Gymnastics Centre.
“I know for a fact in speaking with people who are new to town that they look to see, does the town they’re moving to have a gymnastics facility? Providing services in our town will reduce the amount of people travelling to Calgary to access services.
“I would much rather be in my own town using our own facilities. But we go to wherever we can where we have access to that.”
For over a decade, the Strathmore Silhouettes trained in the Jumphouse Gymnastics facility. When Jumphouse made the announcement of a new building for their cheerleading program in the spring, Strathmore gymnasts were left without a space to practice their sport. Strathmore Gymnastics Centre is hoping to secure $130,000 for renovation and equipment to meet its plans of signing a lease to the old Jumphouse facility, which is closing its doors on Dec. 1.
So far, 40 per cent of the necessary equipment needs have been acquired. However, the flooring and most of the equipment is moving with Jumphouse to its new facility, so Strathmore Gymnastics Centre is asking the Town of Strathmore to fund three pieces of equipment deemed most versatile to create a community-use space. The items include a $25,000 spring-loaded floor, a $3,500 bouncy house to be used for private functions and community events and a $5,000 preschool-specific gross motor development piece of equipment.
“The town currently provides support for multiple sports through facilities… but none of these facilities have the ability to support gymnastics and the vision that we have for this community-use space,” Flaws said. “We’re asking for support not only for gymnastics as a sport but for gymnastics as a basis for all sports. For healthy lifestyles, gross motor development, multi-generational activities, fitness for all ages and abilities. We’re asking the Town of Strathmore to provide us the foundation and a home for this opportunity.”
Those involved envision the floor to be used by other parties, including martial arts, dryland training and fitness.
Since the beginning of the year, Strathmore Gymnastics Centre has established a board, created a business plan, secured a recreational program director and competitive program director, attracted instructors and coaches, is working together with Community Futures Wildrose on grant proposals and funding sources, and approached local businesses with sponsorship opportunities. In addition, the group participated in parades, REVS, requested to speak with Wheatland County, is selling ADmazing coupon books and is hosting a fundraiser on Oct. 20 featuring a hypnotist.
“I’ve lived in Strathmore and have been a part of a mom community and listened to desires and wants and wishes for what’s in the community,” said Abbie McCullough, recreational program director with Strathmore Gymnastics Centre, who operated Macaroni Kid and a mom group program.
“Just as the library provides that vast literacy program, there is a huge desire for a larger physical literacy program in town. I believe that we can provide that.”
While council was supportive and appreciative of the group’s efforts, Councillor Bob Sobol inquired about the business plan and research into the demand from the community.
“My only concern is whether or not there’s been any research in regards to whether there’s community interest in this project,” said Sobol. “I know there will be a lot of interest in a gymnastics group for this facility, but (their) movie and presentation goes way outside that realm. There’s a whole bunch of groups and I’m curious as to how (they) identified those groups and whether or not there’s any history or facts to support that these groups would be interested.”
McCullough addressed his concern by outlining her own experiences, relating that she has listened to people who’ve approached her in favour of the facility, and describing the success at events she’s hosted for families with a pop-up play date. Councillor Lorraine Bauer said she is in support of the initiative. “Starting an organization from grassroots level is a difficult thing to do and to see that (they) have so much support is fantastic. I personally think that (they) have so much to offer this community, and I would be very supportive of including this in our upcoming budgetary projections when we are looking at the budget,” Bauer said.
Council will be determining the 2019 budget in October.