FitKidz Gymnastics Club has found its dream home.
It took a few years, but FitKidz Gymnastics Club will be in an airport hangar thanks to Gordon Lindsay. For the next five years, the gymnasts will have nearly 9,000 square feet of space to have fun and work on their skills.
“The airport hangar makes the perfect space for our rapidly growing gymnastics club,” said head coach and general manager Annette Card. “It allows us to add programs such as school age drop-in, rhythmic gymnastics classes, pre-provincial teams, Gym’n Jazz with the Okanagan Dance studios, acro classes, special clinics such as movie stunts and allows our competitive teams to add more time.”
Card said she learned about the availability while reading a story in the Western News. Card added that there are several clubs in the country that use airport hangars because of its wide, open space.
“We can set the equipment up, have a jumping station. There is a viewing area for the parents,” said Card, adding that they will move into the facility on Aug. 25.
Until then, they will be running summer camps in the old facility at 100 - 1363 Commercial Way.
FitKidz Gymnastics Club, which started in 2006, has 400 members in their programs from ages 1 to 16 and will have adult programs. Members have also been rewarded for their efforts by qualifying for provincials. Card said the move was necessary because they had outgrown their facility. The pre-school program grew from seven to 249 kids in seven months.
Susan Jordan, whose daughter Kalli Doell is a member, is thrilled that a new home has been found.
“The gymnasts are so excited and now more families can enjoy the club,” said Jordan.
Jordan likes the club because the coaches create a safe, comfortable and kind environment for children of all skill levels.
“The coaches love their job, love the children and I am thrilled that my daughter has spent so many hours with these amazing women,” said Jordan, who is among the parents that help with fundraising for the club, including trying to save for a spring floor. “Everyone is treated with respect and kindness and the coaching skill level has been amazing.”
FitKidz Gymnastics Club will have its grand opening Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.