FAIRMONT — The Fairmont School Board discussed the status of the district’s gymnastics program Tuesday. Fairmont shares a program with Martin County West.

Board member Mike Edman noted some recent changes, and the board approved a motion to enter into a five-year lease agreement with Live Fit Sport and Wellness Center in Fairmont.

“The Martin County West school district has decided to close the school building located in Welcome, which is where the joint gymnastics program had been located,” he said. “Superintendent Joe Brown and MCW Superintendent Allison Schmidt were working over the past several months to find alternative locations and space for the program, and our current gym space at the high school is not adequate. They reached out to a couple of local businesses and an agreement was reached with Live Fit.”

Edman said the agreement includes housing the Martin County Magic gymnastics equipment for practices and competitive meets at a $6,000 monthly rate. The cost will be split equally between the two school districts.

“The five-year lease is a fair term given that they had to make some structural improvements,” Edman said. “In order to keep the gymnastics program and in order to enhance and grow this program here in town, with it being used by youth programs, this is a no-brainer in my estimation.”

Brown noted the facility will be able to be used for competitions.

“They did get permission from the city, and worked with the architect and city building inspector to ensure that they can have up to 86 spectators per meet,” he said. “The owner of the facility is a Martin County West graduate, and is very impressive.”

The facility will be open year round, and will be considered the new home of the gymnastics program, similar to how it was set up in Welcome.

“If we do have a need for a bigger meet, we can certainly take the equipment from there and move it to the high school gym,” said board member Dan Brookens. “It’s a pretty common happenstance for schools to have a separate gymnastics site off site.”

“It will bring more people to town,” Brown said. “I think it’s good for the economy as far as the Fairmont community, and it’s a good partnership with Martin County West.”

In other news, the district is looking forward to an announcement from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on how to proceed with the school year, given the COVID-19 pandemic. The board approved a special meeting for Aug. 5 to explain to the community what the plan will be.