PRPA Equips New Prince Rupert Gymnastics Facility

EFFECTIVE JUNE 8, 2022

PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Prince Rupert Gymnastics Association’s (PRGA) new training centre is now the best equipped gymnastics facility in northwest BC, providing enhanced opportunities for recreational and competitive athletes alike. Partnering once again with the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA) Community Investment Fund, PRGA has filled its new 12,000 square foot space with a variety of gymnastics equipment that enables the organization to expand its programming, increase enrollment, and host competitions, special events, and camps.

Founded as a non-profit in 2014, PRGA has quickly grown to be a key part of Prince Rupert’s sports and recreational community. Offering programming to people of all ages, from toddler classes to adult drop-in sessions, the organization outgrew its former training space at the Chatham Building Complex, and in December 2021, moved into a new facility, located inside a renovated warehouse in Rushbrook Harbour.

With support from PRPA and other industry partners, the club has been able to overhaul the leased space and fill it with top-of-the-line equipment. The most significant addition to the PRGA training facility is a new spring floor. This apparatus was previously unavailable to local gymnasts due to a lack of space at PRGA’s previous facility. Members of Prince Rupert’s Gale Force competitive team had no choice but to travel to Terrace to use another club’s floor to train. Now with adequate room to accommodate the full-size spring floor, athletes of all levels can learn new skills and regularly practice their routines. Other additions include a new tumble track, air pit, spotting blocks, bars and rings, and mats and pads. PRPA’s total contribution for this new suite of equipment was $135,736.

“Here on the North Coast, there is constant demand for youth programming, especially options for indoor recreation that focus on building strength, flexibility, and coordination. Through this Community Investment Fund commitment to the Prince Rupert Gymnastics Association, many more local children and teens will have the opportunity to participate in the sport and access a wide variety of equipment to develop their skills and abilities,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority.

“The support we’ve received from the Prince Rupert Port Authority has propelled the Prince Rupert Gymnastics Association’s growth, by providing the equipment required to expand our offerings at all levels, including further developing our boys’ and competitive programs,” said Jackie Touchet, President of PRGA. “The Community Investment Fund contributions have also enabled our club to host events and competitions, drawing athletes, coaches, and supporters from across the province to our training centre, which strengthens and elevates PRGA’s presence in the broader gymnastics community and helps us attract new talent.”

PRPA’s Community Investment Fund has previously contributed $60,000 to PRGA to acquire new gymnastics equipment. PRPA has partnered with numerous other local organizations to support indoor and outdoor youth recreation around northwest BC, including projects with the Prince Rupert Youth Soccer Association, the Prince Rupert Seamen Rugby Club, the Prince Rupert Curling Club, the Prince Rupert Scout Group, the City of Prince Rupert, Metlakatla Governing Council, My Mountain Co-op/Shames Mountain and the Terrace Off Road Cycling Association.

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ABOUT THE PRINCE RUPERT PORT AUTHORITY’S COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND:
The Community Investment Fund is financed by a share of the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s annual net income that has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of the North Coast. By investing these funds into community projects, led mostly by dedicated local volunteers, the Port Authority has been able to share its financial success with the communities that enable it. Since 2009, more than $14.3 million has been committed to the Fund, helping to bring more than 90 local projects to life. Each of these projects has filled an important role in supporting recreation, health and wellness, arts and culture, youth, education, the environment, and other needs in the community.

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:

Katherine Voigt
Manager, Corporate Communications
Prince Rupert Port Authority
250 627 2594
kvoigt@rupertport.com

CIF Gymnastics Equipment from Prince Rupert Port Authority on Vimeo.