Young gymnasts will lose centre (From Penarth Times)

Young gymnasts will lose centre

PENARTH gymnasts are desperately searching for a new training centre.

Youngsters who train with the local Gymnastics Club face being evicted from the town's crumbling pavilion building.

But although members accept that the facilities are so run down they will have to go back to Vale of Glamorgan Council for development, they still have nowhere else to go.

With a total of over 200 people on the books, of whom more than 40 are disabled athletes, the club is a huge success, boasting many medal winners.

Now organisers are desperate to raise enough cash to carry on.

Olympic competitor and club founder Gwynedd Lingard said: "We knew the lease had a cut-off date, which ran out last year.

The Vale council has been kind to let us stay up to now.

But even if our lease was still valid, we would not be able to stay in these premises."

The building has no hot water or heating.

There is no wheelchair access and members with heart conditions cannot train on cold days because they are not able to combat the temperature.

The Sports Council for Wales has assured coaches should they manage to either find or build an alternative base, they would become the Welsh Centre of Excellence for disabled gymnastics.

But despite this, they still have not been able to find suitable premises.

Sixty-eight year old Gwynedd added: "St Cyres School has said we can have a plot of land if we can build a community gym for everyone, which we would welcome.

And we have been told that if we can find £185,000, the Lotto will match-fund the remaining amount.

I don't think we will get there by the end of the year.

But I do hope we manage to see the club successfully relocated before I retire."

To help call Gwynedd on 029 2070 3701.