Parents of gymnasts met with city offiicials to discuss the future of the gymnastics program.
BY DAVID BELL | FOR THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA — Parents of children enrolled in a successful gymnastics program offered through Opelika Parks and Recreation have been shocked to discover that the program is being canceled.
On the morning of March 19, Opelika Parks and Recreation issued a statement on its website saying that the Denson Drive Recreation Center, where Opelika Power Athletics has a tumbling and gymnastics gym, would be temporarily closing this summer for necessary repairs. The renovations, according to the statement, would commence following the conclusion of the spring athletics session and be completed before the fall session begins.
Later that morning, parents of children in the gymnastics program received a personal email from Parks and Recreation informing them that the program was being terminated, without giving a specific reason for the cancellation. Instead, parents were referred to other similar programs in surrounding areas.
“We were shocked,” said Kristie Howell, whose nine-year-old daughter has been enrolled in the gymnastics program for the past five years. “We’ve watched our children grow and excel in so many positive ways. In addition to the physical benefits, my daughter has learned the importance of discipline and teamwork, which has boosted her confidence and self-esteem.”
Howell said her daughter recently attended a competition in Georgia where she won first place all-around in her age group.
“The people who hosted the event were very complementary of all our kids, telling us that we should be proud of the outstanding instruction they were receiving in Opelika,” Howell added.
Kaleia Williams, mother of an eight-year-old daughter who has been in the program for four years, said her child just finished her first year of competition, and recently placed first in floor exercise among 45 participants at an event in Auburn.
“She absolutely loves it,” said Williams. “It would just be a shame if she couldn’t continue with her friends in an environment that is familiar to them.”
On the evening of March 19, some of the parents attended a meeting of the Opelika City Council to express their concerns. The next morning, parent representative Kaleia Williams received an email from Mayor Gary Fuller that contained a memo providing clarification from Parks and Recreation Director Sam Bailey about the decision to drop gymnastics.
According to Bailey, there would be no one available to continue providing gymnastics training in the fall, despite “numerous efforts to hire someone who was USAG (USA Gymnastics) certified.” Bailey said current instructor Ariel Brown had been offered the job on a full-time basis but declined due to her pending marriage that would take her and her husband out of the area.
Bailey also raised the issue of inadequate space to continue all programs currently offered at the Denson Drive facility.
At the conclusion of the memo, Mayor Fuller instructed Mrs. Williams to contact Sam Bailey and set up an appointment, which was subsequently scheduled for Monday, March 25, at the Opelika Sportsplex. In addition to program parents, the meeting was attended by Parks and Recreation staff members Matt Battles, Municipal Area Supervisor, Director Bailey, and Covington Center Supervisor Patrice Lipscomb, along with Parks and Recreation Board Chairman Russell Melnick.
Seated behind a line of medals won by the gymnastics team over the past five years, parents expressed their frustration with the abruptness and manner in which the program was cancelled.
“The original email we received contained no explanation why the program was being terminated. If not for the memo that was later sent by Mayor Fuller, we still wouldn’t know anything prior to this meeting,” said Ann-Braxton Mann, whose six-year-old daughter was set to begin competing next year. “Nothing has been properly communicated to us from Parks and Recreation.”
“The gymnastics program was originally set up by former instructor Tiffany Robinson [Chandler,] who had the knowledge and certifications. It was her responsibility to make sure all USAG guidelines were followed, but apparently she didn’t do that,” said Matt Battles.
National guidelines require a specified area of floor padding around each piece of gymnastic equipment for the creation of an adequate “fall zone.”
“We have stretched the guidelines/rules to get the gymnastic equipment into our limited space,” added Bailey. “We have been living on borrowed time not following the gymnastic fall zone requirements set up by USAG.”
Included in the equipment at the Denson facility are two large trampolines that are currently not being utilized for any specific program purposes, other than entertainment for the smaller tumbling participants. Battles was asked if sufficient space could be provided for gymnastics should the trampolines be removed?
“It’s possible,” replied Battles, admitting that removal of the trampolines had never been taken into consideration.
Regarding the referral to other area gymnastics programs, parents contend that option is not feasible for them.
“We can’t afford the cost of transporting our children to other places, most of which have higher fees and other expenses we don’t have now,” said Kristie Howell. “Besides, there is a child on our team now who travels to Opelika from Columbus because our program is better than what they have there.”
After listening to all the expressed concerns, Bailey said he and his team would take another look at the situation to see if there was anything they could do.
“I can’t tell you things are going to change, but we will carefully look at it again,” said Bailey.
Parents informed Melnick that they would be attending the next Parks and Recreation Board Meeting on Tuesday, April 9.
Meanwhile, program parent Amber Eaves has started an online petition at change.org urging the City of Opelika to continue offering the youth gymnastics program at the Denson Rec Center or at another location. The petition has already received almost 400 signatures.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE — Right before The Observer’s press deadline, we received official notification that, following the advice of legal counsel, the gymnastics discipline has been removed from the OPA program effectively immediately.
“We understand the disappointment this may cause for our gymnastics participants and their families,” said Sam Bailey, director of Parks and Recreation.”However, the safety and well-being of our athletes are our top priorities.”
After numerous measurements and alternative layouts were considered, it was determined that Denson Drive Recreation Center does not have adequate space to house both the equipment for recreational tumbling classes and the equipment for the gymnastics program.
Here is the press release from the city of Opelika:
Opelika Power Athletics (OPA), the tumbling and gymnastics program housed at Denson Drive Recreation Center, is removing the gymnastics discipline from their programming, effective immediately.
Initial plans were to end the gymnastics program following the conclusion of the spring session. However, after becoming aware that the current gym set-up was not in compliance with USA Gymnastics (USAG) safety guidelines, the city’s leadership and legal counsel advised staff to cancel this week’s classes in an effort to rearrange the gym so that safety standards could be met.
After numerous measurements and alternative layouts were considered, it was determined that Denson Drive Recreation Center does not have adequate space to house both the equipment for recreational tumbling classes and the equipment for the gymnastics program. Following the advice of legal counsel, the gymnastics program will now cease immediately.
“We understand the disappointment this may cause for our gymnastics participants and their families,” said Sam Bailey, Director of Parks and Recreation. “However, the safety and well-being of our athletes are our top priorities.”
Despite this change, Opelika Power Athletics remains committed to offering recreational tumbling classes that provide young athletes the opportunity to learn foundational skills that serve as the building blocks for gymnastics, cheerleading, tumbling and trampoline disciplines. These classes will focus on developing coordination, strength, flexibility and tumbling techniques in a safe and supportive environment.
“We are excited to redirect our efforts towards expanding and enhancing our recreational tumbling classes,” added Bailey. “We believe that these classes will not only continue to benefit our current participants but also attract new members who are looking to develop foundational skills in tumbling and related disciplines.”
Opelika Parks and Recreation expresses gratitude to all gymnastics participants, families, coaches and supporters for their understanding during this transition period. The organization remains dedicated to fostering a positive and enriching experience for all athletes involved in its programs.