Letter to the Editor -
Dear Editor:
The sport of gymnastics has been in Labrador West since the 60s with Snowbirds Gymnastics Club formally founded in the early 70s. We've had a long and successful existence in Labrador West until recently and now we fear that gymnastics may cease to exist in our area altogether.
Originally Snowbirds operated out of A.P. Low Elementary School. We eventually outgrew that gym space. Our equipment storage needs were great and our gymnasts were reaching a level, which required a fixed spring floor. With that need in mind, we secured our own, a full-time gym in the former Labrador City Collegiate and secured funding to install a spring floor. The space was ideal and our club grew even more. Programs were offered from 18 months of age up to adult with plans to expand programs further the next year. Membership was at about 150 gymnasts. We had a full recreational program with waiting lists and a promising batch of competitive gymnasts, whom we had on the path to the Atlantics. It was our goal to eventually send someone to Nationals and if we were to continue as we were, I'd like to think that was possible.
However, all of that ended when the building (we were in) was sold. We had to scramble to find a new space to operate in. That was a difficult task for a club that brings with it so much large equipment. We looked into many local buildings and finally were able to secure some gym time and storage space in J. R. Smallwood Middle School. While the school has been very understanding with regards to our storage needs, it does not come close to meeting our training needs.
The loss of gym hours has meant that we have had to cut all recreational programs and our competitive program has seen a reduction in numbers and in training hours. As gymnasts retire, we do not usually replace them, as we do not have the hours available to offer a quality program. In our prior facility we were able to offer multiple groups at different times, as hours were never an issue.
Snowbirds has operated self-sufficiently for its entire existence. Our gym operated seven days a week and we had a paid coaching staff of 12. With a large membership we were able to pay our coaches above minimum wage, pay rent and pay for snow clearing. All of this was in addition to paying Gymnastic Newfoundland and Labrador fees and additional insurance above and beyond what GNL offered.
Snowbirds was the only club of its size that was not operating out of a town-funded facility. Hockey and soccer, being the first and second largest minor sport organizations in our area have town-built, town-maintained facilities which to utilize. Snowbirds was the third largest but did not have this luxury. It has always had to be independent and secure space on its own. With our massive amounts of large equipment, this is a big undertaking.
We all know the many benefits of regular physical activity. Gymnastics is a sport that provides opportunity for quality physical activity. A press release from Sport Canada a few years back stated that gymnastics is one of the top three sports for young children to develop core strength, balance, body awareness, agility, flexibility and basic physical fitness which helps develop well rounded athletes, no matter what sport they choose latter in life. It is a sport that is accessible to children of all ages and all abilities. It doesn't require expensive, specialized equipment to participate and the fees are reasonable. It is a great loss to the community. Without a facility, Snowbirds will likely fold in a matter of years. Right now we are hanging by a thread and are fighting just to stay in existence. The longer we wait for a permanent facility, the harder it will be to rebuild.
To add insult to injury, the recent recreation survey-that was sent to residents-did not include gymnastics in any of its listings. Our membership was shocked to say the least. Our concerns will certainly not be expressed through this survey. Many residents may not even know we exist, therefore would never think to write us in. I guess we were not considered as significant as outdoor water sports and rugby, since they made it on the survey.
Yours truly
Tracy Critch,
President of Snowbirds
Gymnastics Club
.jpg)
.jpg)
