By Corey Fischer

Club Makes Pitch For RDNO Funding

Feb 8, 2018 | 12:53 PM

Paul Williamson (at left) from the North Valley Gymnastics Club makes presentation to the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee at the District of Coldstream office.

The North Valley Gymnastics Club is looking for local government to support its new facility.

The 470 member club is converting a former RV shop on 31st Street into a 1.4 million dollar gymnasium, with plans to move in at the end of May.

Spokesman Paul Williamson made a presentation to the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee Thursday.

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He says they are asking the regional district to provide $450,000 of the cost.

“This represents 33 percent of the value of our building and our equipment, so we have invested substantially. We are on the hook for 66 percent of this project and we’re asking for your help of 33 percent,” said Williamson who was supported by over 25 club members at the meeting.

Williamson says the club is currently renting space, but that lease is running out.

“We would like half of that amount ($450,000) as soon as possible, certainly by the end of May because our move-in date in May 31st. We have given notice to the current building we’re in, so we are committed. We are out of there.”

The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee will discuss the request at its March 8th meeting, but several directors expressed support for helping the group, when questioned by the media.

GVAC chair Juliette Cunningham says the group has been seeking support for a long time.

“In the recent past we supported pickleball, so that was the question put to me as chair: How does pickleball get 300-thousand dollars and we’ve been coming for some time to get some support? So I asked them to come and present as a delegation,” Cunningham tells CJIB News.

GVAC director Mike Macnabb likes that the club is willing to provide its share of the load.

“It’s one of those things that I support community groups that come forward with a large number of people, prepared to put money up front, to work hard to do that, so I’d certainly look at this favourably because that’s what we want to support,” says Macnabb.

Williamson says their new gymnasium could also be used by special needs adults and Kindale clients, with interest as well from cheerleading clubs and home schooled children.

by Corey Fischer