The North Valley Gymnastics Society is seeking help from the City of Vernon as it recovers from a fire last October that destroyed its facility on 31st Street. (Photo credits: NVGS)

By Pete McIntyre

Recovering from fire

Gymnastics club seeks partnership with City of Vernon

Jun 13, 2022 | 12:00 PM

The North Valley Gymnastics Society continues its recovery from a devastating fire last year and is looking to local government for help with its funding.

The society will make a presentation to Vernon council today (June 13), seeking support for a $100,000 shortfall.

Club president Paul Williamson said the club has yet to receive a settlement offer from its insurance company after a fire destroyed their facility on October 31.

Former facility of North Valley Gymnastics (Photo credit: NVGS)

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Williamson said money is also needed to acquire and move into a new facility.

“It has been our goal for some years now to occupy a fully dedicated city-owned gymnastics facility on the Kin Race Track lands. Alternatively, if the Vernon Aquatic Center becomes available for renovation, we would also be interested in becoming a city tenant there,” said Williamson.

The group is currently using the former Whitevale Elementary School in Lumby as a temporary site after help from School District 22.

The organization was established in 1993.

Prior to the pandemic, Williamson said the club had close to 1,000 members registered in Gymnastics BC, their provincial governing organization.

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