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We Need A Gym

SURREY GYMNASTICS NEEDS A NEW HOME

 
On March 8, 2019, Surrey Gymnastic Society received notice that Surrey School District is going to evict us on June 2020.   After loyally serving the community and school district for 42 years, we are sad with this news.
 
  • Surrey Gymnastic Society built the building they are in in 1982
  • Surrey Gymnastic Society sold the building back to the district in exchange for the district to have daytime usage.
  • Frank Hurt needs room to expand, and Surrey School District believes the only location they can expand into is the current site of Surrey Gymnastic Society.
  • The Frank Hurt project is currently 19th in line for capital funding.   There are no guarantees the project will be funded however we are currently nonetheless on notice.  

We knew this was coming.    Surrey Gymnastic Society presented to Surrey Parks and Recreation Committee in June 2016 of which the following promise was made:

As such, updates from staff regarding future facility development for Grandview Heights as well as other areas will be provided accordingly.

Following that, in 2017, the ten year PRC plan was established.   See Page 19. 

Here are the most recent projects the City of Surrey has funded:
 
We are hoping the City of Surrey will fund us for our new facility.
 
Gymnastics has a market estimate in Surrey of approximately 5400 kids.  It is the #3 sport participated by girls, only behind swimming and dance.   Our girls are tough.   They are determined.   They persevere.   We are shaping the women of tomorrow in our club.
 
We have multiple options available for a relocation:
 
  • Relocate to city land and build; $2.5 million is what we have been quoted.
  • Relocate to city land with existing parking lot:  $1.5m.
  • Purchase an existing facility: $4m – $6m depending on location and size and availability.
 
Our ask for the Government of BC:
Please increase the Frank Hurt Capital Funding request by up to $6 million, and add a clause in there that it cannot begin until Surrey Gymnastics has a new home.     
 
Our ask to the City of Surrey:
Allocate a piece of land for us to serve the existing membership, and ideally assist in funding the establishment of a new home for Surrey Gymnastics so that we may continue to deliver one of the most popular sports for girls in Canada. 
 
Our ask to the Federal Government:
 Please agree to add funding to this.   Our girls love this sport.   We have to fight nationally the attrition rate of girls from sport.  
 
This allows an adequate budget for Surrey Gymnastics to move into a temporary facility while we build out a new facility.    
 
These boys and girls are both going to be without a home on June, 2020:

Gymnastics is third most popular sport participated in my girls bested only by swimming and dance. There are 42,000 gymnasts in BC, with an 80% of them being female. Compared to 60,000 amateur youth hockey players with only 10% participation rate of girls. There are FIVE public hockey facilities in Surrey. There is soon to be ZERO public gymnastics spaces in Surrey.

The following communities have public space Gymnastics facilities:

  • Delta (Delta Gymnastics – Adjacent to Ladner Leisure Centre)
  • Langley (Langley Gymnastics – Langley Events Centre)
  • Burnaby (Wings Gymnastics)
  • Vancouver (Phoenix Gymnastics)
  • Abbotsford (Twisters Gymnastics)
  • North Vancouver (Flicka Gymnastics)
  • New Westminster is currently building a facility to replace the building that collapsed

What is wrong with the City of Surrey? Why can’t we have this too?

What can YOU do to help?

INTERNET OUTRAGE! Share our web page! Share our video! Show some outrage that we are being made homeless.

Key contacts:

Surrey City Council

Mayor Doug McCallum

Harry Bains MLA for Surrey Newton

Ken Hardie, MP for Fleetwood-Port Kells