Gymnasts bend over backwards to raise money for brand new premises.

Forfar: Club seeking funds for purpose-built facility at old tennis courts

Members of a Tayside gymnastics club are bending over backwards to raise £30,000 for a purpose-built centre.

The Phoenix Gymnastics Club, which trains at various venues, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £3,500 to kickstart its ambitious project. The club’s members hope to turn the disused tennis courts at the former Lochside Leisure Centre in Forfar into the first purpose-built gymnastics centre in Angus.

The first stage of the project is to complete ground investigation works at the site, work through the community asset transfer process and gain planning permission, before the group moves on to the build.

Head coach Shona Forbes said: “This is the start of our community asset transfer process. We have got more than 260 registered members and currently train at the Forfar Community Campus, Brechin Community Campus, the East

“To be able to have a purposebuilt facility in our home town would have such a positive impact on the development of all our gymnasts

and Old Parish Church in Forfar and the Dick Mctaggart Centre in Dundee.

“We coach anyone from babies upwards and cater for boys and girls.”

The club has operated for more than 30 years out of local authority venues and is the largest gymnastics club in Angus, with 220 children waiting to gain a place.

Its crowdfunding page states: “Over the years our gymnasts have achieved top rankings at competitions and gained entry to various different squad structures. We are open to all and provide opportunities for the complete beginner right through to the competitive-level gymnasts celebrating all successes, big or small.

“To be able to have a purpose-built facility in our home town would have such a positive impact on the development of all our gymnasts.

“With estimated costs of around £30,000 for Stage 1, all donations will be going towards these initial costs to help us move forward and build a bigger, brighter future for our members.

“Our gymnasts will be taking part in many fundraising events themselves this year to help us reach our goal but we would love to see if the true ‘power of the crowd’ can help us along the way.”

The club has a video that spells out their plea for help at www.crowdfunder. co.uk/phoenixforfargymnasticsclub

Picture: Paul Reid. Phoenix members, parents and helpers hope to raise funds to turn disused tennis courts into a base for the gymnastics club.