All photos: PRGA
Established in 2014, the Prince Rupert Gymnastics Association (PRGA) has vaulted to 300 members and has earned multiple provincial-level accomplishments. To expand their program offerings and enhance economic benefits for the region, PRGA recognized a need to move to a larger facility within the community. Subsequently, they secured a lease for 12,000 square feet in a warehouse beside Rushbrook Public Dock in Prince Rupert.
To make the new space suitable for competitive teams, PRGA successfully applied for a $250,000 Economic Diversification Infrastructure grant in 2020 to provide a springboard to start renovation momentum. This project was recently completed and Northern Development disbursed the final grant amount in February 2022. Now, Prince Rupert has the most modern and comprehensive gymnastics facility in northwest B.C.
“We are beyond excited about our new facility! We have just finished hosting our first gymnastics meet here in Prince Rupert that attracted over 50 athletes from around the North and brought tourism dollars to the community,” said Jackie Touchet, president, PRGA. “We are launching into our Spring session that will run until the end of June and are looking forward to hosting Summer Camps. Without the funding from NDIT, this vision and dream would not have been possible.”
The project enhances community recreation options for people of all ages and abilities throughout the year and provides an indoor space for physical activity, a reprieve from Prince Rupert’s wet climate. The new facility supports increased coaching staff, allowing PRGA to offer a wider spectrum of programing,for people with physical and developmental disabilities, summer camps for students and the development of a new male competitive team.
Relocating the PRGA to the Rushbrook Warehouse is the first step in revitalizing a portion of the industrial waterfront and creating a recreational hub. Long term, the goal is to develop a multi-use area that will attract local and visiting recreational users. Other portions of the warehouse can be developed for other activities.
The modern, well-equipped space will support economic diversification in Prince Rupert through competition hosting and training visits from other gymnastics clubs in the region, including Smithers, Kitimat and Terrace. Competitions are hosted in winter when tourism businesses are usually experiencing their off-season. PRGA is now the only club in northwest B.C. that can house every gymnastics event without having to rearrange equipment.
PRGA’s facility also creates new employment within the club. At least one more full-time coach, two part-time coaches and a summer camp counsellor/couch will be hired. The new staffing capacity will allow them to run simultaneous classes, further growing their membership and helping those who are currently on program wait lists.
Funding came through the Trust’s former Economic Diversification Infrastructure program. Under the current funding programs, which were rolled out in September 2020, this project would have received funding from the Recreation Infrastructure program.
