East Gippsland Gymnastics expansion success

East Gippsland Gymnastics Centre officially opened on Saturday 9 September, welcoming in a new era of gymnastics opportunities in East Gippsland. Construction began in May 2022, and thanks to Eastern Victoria Construction Group, took just over a year to complete. The facility can now welcome more gymnasts in all age ranges.

“This large club consistently had a waitlist of 100 participants and desperately needed more space to accommodate the demand,” said East Gippsland Shire Council Deputy Mayor Cr Arthur Allen.

“The club had 500 participants before moving into this new centre and participation now sits at over 650 participants.”

New facility highlights include two Olympic-sized trampolines, a “ninja zone” with obstacles, an open-ended trampoline flowing into a landing bag and a mezzanine viewing area for spectators.

Senior Coach of the Gymnastics Club Ray Hawkey thanked Council for “having the foresight to support the non-mainstream sport of gymnastics. Now we can host more groups and provide greater gym supports to the community.”

Working together, the East Gippsland Gymnastics Club, Council and the Victorian Government funded this $2.53 million project. Council secured funding through Sport and Recreation Victoria to contribute to the development of the new facility, and the Gymnastics Club contributed a generous $100,000 toward the project.

“With this club having activities for all ages, and current participants from one-year-olds to 44-year-olds, it’s pleasing to know that more East Gippslanders can get involved in this large gymnastics centre thanks to efforts of the Gymnastics Club and community organisations,” said Cr Allen.

Gymnasts closed out the event by showing off the skills they’ve learned at the centre, demonstrating routines on the bars, beams, floor and ninja zone.

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