Swallows Gymnastic Centre

The New Gym project group has been working now for over three years to find a new site and funding for the gym club. I am very pleased to report that we have finally found the most perfect & amazing site. It is on the outskirts of Helston in a rapidly developing area and forms a cluster with three other sports clubs i.e. football, cricket and rugby.

The site has been offered to the club by a local landowner. This month, January 2006, we received detailed planning permission to build our £1.5 million gymnastics centre on this site.

We have had initial plans drawn up for planning and funding purposes. These cater for a full sized gymnastics area and associated office, changing rooms and waiting areas etc., as well as extra rooms for use by other community groups. Many local organisations & sports clubs without specialist facilities of their own have expressed great interest in hiring this extra space. We should be in the position to offer these rooms for hire to other non-sporting groups as well.

Our initial costings have increased to take into account a larger building, 16,000sq.ft. able to offer a very flexible space to other users. We have decided to phase the build and are now proposing to build in 2 phases. Phase One will be the main gym area and associated space as well as space upstairs. Phase Two will be the extra space that is required by other community groups. Anyone interested in using our new centre should contact us for more details.

Phase One will cost in the region of £900,000.
Phase Two will cost £500,000 if built at the same time.

Funding is now a major priority. We still have the committed interest of British Gymnastics who with the support of the CCDP (Community Club Development Programme) direct available funds to worthy causes.

In support of our bid we have produced a major new case document Development Plan with associated business plans. The development plan includes details on how new services and products will ensue the success of the centre & introduce community use as well as gymnastics. This document is the culmination of a great deal of hard work and should demonstrate to funders the potential of the Club in this larger building.

Our immediate goal is securing funding to instruct the Project Coordinator, Scott Hesketh of Scott Hesketh Designs Ltd & Ron Kidd Associates to action full QS costings and Architectural drawings. This will assist in fulfilling the British Gymnastic requirements as well as allow other potential funder to realistically assess the project and commit their funds to the project as a whole or a specific part of the project

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You will see from the included drawings and photographs that we have a creatively designed building with amazing potential not just to meet gymnastic and community needs but to grace a recreational area that is designated within the new Bosnoweth Estate. It is clearly not a “Tin Shed” with gymnastic equipment housed within but a building to be proud of, a building that will complement the new housing estate & surrounding recreational area.

The site is adjacent to Helston AFC & across the road from the Helston Rugby & Cricket Club, three clubs that we hope to work with in the future. It is also not far from St Michael's Primary school, something that is particularly useful as Swallows has a long and strong history of providing schools' gymnastic sessions. This is a strand of gymnastics that we are currently strengthening and should, quite soon include a Primary Schools gymnastic competition. As many will know Helston School & Community College are at present National Schools champions, this Primary foundation work and new gymnastic centre should ensure they continue to do well in future.

The club has held its Accreditation status from British Gymnastics for over a year now and we are very proud of our GymMark award. This shows that the club is being run efficiently and progressively, with all the members, staff and volunteers benefiting from our continual drive to offer the best possible coaching and service. It would be fitting that in this, the Clubs thirtieth year, that we not only secure a site upon which to build the new gym but secure the remaining funding to start work on the building itself.

The Club will be celebrating 30 years in several special ways, if you have been part of its illustrious history look out for the events, join in, celebrate & do your best to secure the next 30 years.

Swallows Gymnastics Centre - Important Information

The current premises behind the Helston Gunsmiths at Water-ma-Trout industrial estate has for some time been considered less than ideal, it was probably always viewed as a stepping stone to better facilities.

During the growth of the club from 100 members to at times in excess of 600 the limitations of the building and continued depreciation of its fabric has become evident. The building was never designed for the highest levels of gymnastics and as standards in the club have risen expectations and a desire to move to better premises has grown.

We, as a body, are committed to improving the facilities for our members and staff and if this means the best option is to find a new premises to enhance the long term security and development of the club that is what the committee will strive to do. The current aim of the charity is simply to provide gymnastics for one & all, which includes expanding current activities as well as investigating both wider and local community interests, no reasonable suggestions or feasible options will be ignored.

Our 'mission statement' is:-

Swallows of Helston is a thriving gymnastics club offering unparalleled opportunities to local people to participate in and enjoy gymnastics. Swallows of Helston is dedicated to making gymnastics a fun and rewarding experience, for gymnasts of all ages, genders and abilities including those that are currently underrepresented in sport and physical activity.

We aim to provide the best possible training and competitive opportunities for gymnasts at all levels of ability. We up hold high standards and expectations which challenge each gymnast to strive for their own excellence, reaching his or her full potential, in a safe and caring environment. We aim to inspire our members to remain involved in sport, adopt a healthy living lifestyle, and be dynamic contributors to their community.

Our vision is for Swallows of Helston to have a Dedicated Gymnastics Centre, to enable us to continue and expand the gymnastic opportunities we already provide. We envisage that this Dedicated Gymnastics Centre would be used as a venue by other local clubs and organisations, enabling us to provide innovative multi-activity opportunities for the whole community.

Having failed in our first three year marathon effort to receive a Lottery grant the committee has redoubled its efforts to actively investigate and source a number of grants to provide the necessary funds to meet our aims. Cornwall has achieved Objective One status as well as being declared a Sport Action Zone, Camborne Redruth has been declared a Health Action Zone, all around us from the Lizard Point to the Atlantic West coast of Cornwall, our natural catchment area for gymnasts has been declared a priority zone. The committee at the Swallows are determined to find funds to provide the facilities to meet our specified aim "gymnastics for one & all".

Information on the development of the "New Gym Project" will be updated as the project moves forward. Any advice and support is welcomed from experienced campaigners and well-wishers.

Click here to view photos of the current Gym.

If you feel that you can help please contact the Swallows Gym directly by phone or e-mail (01326) 574224 - info@swallowsgym.co.uk.