Sports Page

    Now in a new space at the M.D. McEachern, the municipal gymnastics program, instructed by Rosemarie Plante, got up and running for a new year on Tuesday, January 29.

   The gymnastics program has been running since 2000, when former Horace Allen School principal John Paskiuski oversaw a donation of equipment toward a municipal program.

   With further equipment contributions from ISS, a closing Pincher Creek club, and the municipality, the program has now moved into the space formerly used by the Turning Pointe Dance Studio at the MDM. This will be a dedicated space for the program, meaning equipment no longer must be set up and taken down for each class.

   “All the equipment’s set up, so we can offer consistent programming,” says Plante, who teaches the two different classes — Partner & Tot classes for children walking to age four with a partner over the age of 12, and Gym Fit classes for ages five and up. The program is built to a national skill standard, but the children are allowed to develop at their own pace, since each starts at a different level of gymnastics skill and ability. “We want them to at least gain an appreciation of physical activity,” says Plante. “A definite goal is to develop athletic attributes.” The program incorporates conditioning to help learn proper movement and to develop gymnastic skills, she says. “We’ve got to make it fun for the next generation of kids,” she says. “Gymnastics is a great sport. It’s all about the kids.” Gymnastics can build muscles, increase flexibility, and teach the importance of good conditioning.

   Each class runs two times a week for 12 weeks, and they will finish on May 1. All of the classes are currently full to capacity with six students apiece and an existing waiting list.

   Plante says she is looking into possible ways to set something up for kids on the waiting list.