A Short History

For more than fifteen years, the Yellowknife Gymnastics Club actively raised money to build a dedicated gymnastics facility of our own. Over the years, the Club has had to relocate from one school gymnasium to another as its programs grew.  In 1999, when the Club had to relocate yet again because the school in which it operated was slated for demolition, it kicked its fundraising efforts into full gear and serious planning began to build the new facility. The Club was lucky to be able to use an old construction garage owned by the City of Yellowknife until May, 2002 while it raised enough to get this project off the ground.

In July of 2001, the Club partnered with the City of Yellowknife who agreed to add a dedicated gymnastics facility to the constructions plans for their new, twin pad arena. Construction began on the project early in the spring of 2002 and after a number of delays, was opened on February 10th, 2003.

The facility was officially opened on September 28th, 2003 with a grand party.

How Did We Do It?

The easy answer is "with a lot of hard work and even more help from our friends".  The membership did a lot of work raising money, doing everything from bake sales to the raffle of an AMC Hummer.  But the new building would still be a dream if it weren't for the support of the community.  Some of those who have pitched in are:

City of Yellowknife                           PSAV Architects

Yellowknife Elk's Club                      Lions Club         

NWT Gymnastics Association          NorthwesTel Inc.  

AD Williams Engineering                  PCL Northern

Wallbridge & Associates                  BHP Billiton

Diavik Diamond Mines                      Hovat Construction

Allard Foundation                             Artisan Press

Tait Communications                        Autotech

Radio Shack                                    First Air

Bob Kussy/Goota Ashoona               Diamond Glass

Home Building Centre                       Keenan Bengts Law