New Facility Dunedin Gymnastics Academy

The Dunedin Gymnastics Academy was established in 2011, following the merger of the DGA and SGA. Since this time, the DGA has grown from strength to strength with membership growing from 360 in 2011 to over 600 in 2015. Participation from casual users has also been growing at 500 visits per year and currently stands at 9971 to September 2015. The organisation has transformed over this period from a volunteer structure to paid employees coaching and operating the club. Financially the club is in a strong position with a projected operating surplus of $20k expected in 2015.

The DGA are currently spread across 3 sites in Dunedin including:

- The Caledonian

- Vogel St

- Willis St

Two of these sites are typical old Dunedin warehouses which have had limited money spent on them over the years. Although DGA appreciates the support they have had from existing landlords the buildings are deficient on a number of fronts including:

- The buildings at Vogel and Willis Streets share the following problems:

- They cannot be heated practically

- The roofs leak and condensation is problematic

- Airflow is variable and cold drafts flow through the buildings

- The fire egress for the buildings is limited compared to new building requirements ? Inadequate changing facilities and ablutions

OTAGO SPORTS MOVEMENT EDUCATION CENTRE

DGA participation from casual users has been growing at 500 per year. DGA Memberships have grown by over 60% in the last 4 years.

There is no disabled access at any of DGA’s 3 facilities.

FEASIBILITY STUDY

The heating is the most significant issue in these buildings and there are times when the apparatus are so cold, children are unable to hold onto them. This coupled with the disparate nature of the buildings significantly hinders the ability to develop the sport in Dunedin and continue to grow participation.

It is the DGA’s view that their growth in membership is likely to taper off as the currently facilities are near capacity.

The DGA is the largest gymnastics club in the Otago and Southland region with the highest engagement of childrens/youth across this area. They are also the only club that provide coaching in all 4 disciplines of competitive and recreational gymnastics including mens/womens artistic, rhythmic, aerobic and trampoline. Classes are structured as competitive or recreational and by ages/discipline as summarised in the table below. Growth in the core classes has grown over the last 4 years but it has been the diversification into new offerings that has also helped the club grow. See table below for new classes.

OTAGO SPORTS MOVEMENT EDUCATION CENTRE

The current facilities are so cold in winter, children are unable to grip the bars and perform tasks. This coupled with a lack of appropriate building safety and disabled access make the current buildings unfit for community use.

Gymsport Disciplines

New Classes

- Playgym - preschool Kiwigym – under 7 years

- Sportgym – 7 to 10 years Senior Sportgym – 10+ years Adult gym – 16+ years

- moveMprove

- Parkour

- Teen Freestyle

- Sportfit – gym class comparable to cross-fit Waikouaiti satellite

Gymsports which includes rhythmic, artistic, trampoline and aerobics is a truly foundation sport and encapsulates the fundamental movement patterns used in all sports. The development of fundamental movement in children will enable kids to be more competent in movement and stronger in their chosen sport. It is also anticipated that this will lead to healthier and more academically engaged kids.

The Dunedin Gymnastics Academy also continues to achieve significant success on the National arena through the tireless work of the club members and coaches. This includes 17 top three placings across various disciplines in the 2015 South Island Championships and 5 top three placings in the 2015 NZ Championships.

The moveMprove programme is of particular interest. This programme has been developed by GymSports New Zealand and is focused on developing children’s fundamental movement skills. It has also been designed to enable disabled children to participate alongside their peers. Currently these courses are delivered to approximately 10 schools in Dunedin however there is significant scope to grow these numbers. For a comparison, Christchurch’s School of Gymnastics (a purpose built facility) engage with over 80 educational providers.

Working alongside Logan Park High School, Otago Hockey and Mountain Biking Otago Dunedin Gymnastics Academy have commissioned a feasibility study to consider the possibility of creating a combined multi-sport space.

This feasibility study has been completed and it is proposed to move forward with the Detailed Site and Facility Investigation.

This givealittle page has been established to raise funds to assist with the above.

Please leave a message and your email address if you would like to view the Full Stage One Feasibility Study and we will email a copy to you.