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MARTIN COUNTY - The Martin County Area (MCA) Gymnastics Association is seeking a new place to compete and perform, a permanent place for area youth.
In addition to high school gymnastics, Martin County Area Gymnastics offers Community Education and Recreation with girls, boys and a special class for youth with disabilities. Classes can reach 150 per session. Opportunities overall range from 18 months to the high school level.
"We have about 30 kids age 5 to 11 that are participating in our Mini Magic team," Board Member Rebecca Sinn said. "Martin County West has always been the host in terms of the logistics for that as well. I think we probably have 20 kids participating in our high school program."
They have previously been at the Fairmont High School and the Welcome School before it closed. After a five-year contract with Live Fit ended last year, this year's season is being held at the Fairmont Armory. Association President Erica Jorgensen said they are thankful for the space the Armory has been able to provide.
"We kind of knew this was going to be a short-term solution," she said. "Our biggest thing we’re doing now is trying to find a permanent home because the work behind finding new places and contract agreements every few years is a lot of work, and we want our own home where we know we’re going to be."
As leaders, but also as former gymnasts from the program themselves, Jorgensen and Sinn spoke on the impacts they have seen MCA Gymnastics have on local youth.
"It's showing these youth they can do hard things and how to do hard things and how to persevere and get through," Jorgensen said.
"There’s not very many sports where you stand up in the middle of a gym by yourself and go do your thing," Sinn said. "I think that’s a good life skill, how to have the confidence to do hard things and get up when you fall."
With this new location, MCA Gymnastics is looking to either use an existing building or space within a building, or land to potentially build new. With an existing building or space, Sinn said there are regulations they need to meet.
"We do have some space-related concerns," she said. "We need a building that has a 19-foot ceiling, which is a requirement through the Minnesota State High School League to house gymnastics. We have some individual space constraints. Our floor, we need a 43 by 43 foot space that’s completely free. We can’t have support posts or things like that we have run into at some of the facilities we’ve looked at."
In addition, Sinn said it ideally would be a space for them to host gymnastics meets, so space for spectators and a potential concession stand is also in their plans. Given the area they cover, Jorgensen said they are looking for a space in Welcome, Fairmont, or between the two.
If this doesn't pan out, there is also the potential for a purpose-built facility on land purchased by the gymnastics association.
"We have, certainly, interest in the community we feel," Sinn said. "A lot of communities support an individual gymnastics facility. Definitely take some crunching of the numbers, figuring out how it all works, determining commitment from the schools, a lot of fundraising and people that care, and some grants. That’s what we feel like is in front of us."
If an existing space cannot be found and building on land is the way to go, Sinn said it is possible they could take a gap year to focus on building what they need. Otherwise, they have a firm deadline for competitions starting November 2027, but would ideally like something done by September 2027.
Either through existing or a new space, Sinn said the most important thing is making sure this program is able to continue.
"My biggest goal is to keep this offering that we have to our community," she said. "Ideally, I’d love to have a year-round facility that really allows us to get the kids in that have the interest and develop the program as much as we can. Year-round access is really important for me."
While they are undergoing the process of finding a new long-term home, MCA Gymnastics is also taking community feedback and information. To do so, or for more information, email mcagymnasticsassociation@gmail.com or visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/MCAgymnasticsassociation/.