Hi, We're St. Albert Gymnastics Club!

The St. Albert Gymnastics Club maintains a philosophy that gymnastics is, above all else, fun, while stressing skill development, fitness, safety and the fundamental discipline necessary to achieve these objectives. We provide a wide variety of programs in a safe and positive learning environment.

Coaches are encouraged to use this philosophy as the basis for their coaching, from the very youngest recreational classes through to the highest competitive levels, they use a positive, encouraging approach at all times.

Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive and enjoyable environment for all St. Albert Gymnastics Club members to participate in the foundation sport* of gymnastics and to foster the stages of Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) as outlined by Canadian Sport for Life.

To develop, advance and champion each child’s interest and ability in gymnastics through exploration, structured instruction and gymnastic education while promoting the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, courage and respect.

To continuously encourage, promote and provide all gymnasts and staff the opportunity to strive for excellence through goal setting, quality training and education.

To fulfill a role in leadership training through a program of apprenticeship, in-service training and participation in the National Coaching Certification Program of Canada, while developing local youths as coaches. This ensures continuity in the supply of qualified employees to operate the Club’s program as well as providing excellent employment opportunities for young people.

*Gymnastics is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a foundation sport because it plays a crucial role in the development of fundamental movement patterns and sports skills. Early participation allows children to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle for a lifetime.

St. Albert Gymnastics Club was formed in January 1975, when a group of parents felt that there was a need for a gymnastics club in St. Albert. A market survey was done to determine the interest in gymnastics in the community. On October 9, 1975, the SAGC was incorporated, under the Societies Act, in the Province of Alberta.

The club began offering its services in Lorne Akins School with the use of the school’s equipment. It was subsequently relocated in a number of schools such as Paul Kane, William D. Cuts, Bertha Kennedy Elementary School, St. Albert High School and Sir George Simpson Junior High.

While in Sir George Simpson, the Club’s registration increased to over 225 members, employing approximately 15 coaches and two part-time program heads. Because of limited space and time constraints imposed by the school, the Club was unable to grow to meet the ever-increasing demand from the community. The Board decided the time had come to move into a permanent facility. In December of 1990, with the help of many volunteers, 7,500 sq. ft at #12, 8 Riel Drive, was leased and renovated to become the new home of the St. Albert Gymnastics Club.

As of 1994, the Club was operating seven days per week and its membership was in excess of 500 members. The Club employed 37 part-time coaches, two part-time program heads and one full-time administrator. The venture into a leased facility proved to be a very sound business decision. It allowed the Club to service close to 300 additional members and employed an additional 22 coaches.

In 1994, the Club again found the need to expand, taking over the bay next door. This expansion was necessary due to expanding programs, and the need for a gymnastics “pit”. The “pit” was used to train difficult moves to all levels of competitive and advanced recreation. The expansion also allowed for more rotations, thus enabling the Club to expand our client base.

On February 12, 1994, a Re-dedication Ceremony attended by Mayor Anita Rachinsky and the two M.L.A.’s saw the opening of this new addition. Also in 1994, the SAGC hosted the gymnastics contingent of the Alberta Winter Games. The event, which is hosted every two years, saw 2200 athletes come to St. Albert from all over Alberta. The gymnastics events included Trampoline & Tumbling, Men’s Artistic, and Women’s Artistic. Eighty volunteers were needed over four days to set up, run the meet, and take down. Overall, it was a very positive experience for the Club. The hard work of the Club’s volunteers generally made the Gymnastics Competition the most well-attended and best-organized event of the Games.

In the 13 years that SAGC occupied the same location annual lease costs more than doubled. In 2002 the building was sold and the lease was about to expire. St. Albert Gymnastics Club decided it was time to move and put in an offer to purchase on our current location that was being used as a church/racquetball facility. The building required considerable renovations to retrofit it into a gym facility. Renovation costs were budgeted and relied heavily on a huge contingency of volunteer labor. The Board of the day were successful and obtained a community Grant to help purchase the building and pay for renovations.

In April, 2005 the purchase was complete and by the fall of 2005 the gym was fully operational!

Please note: TRANSFERS

For the safety of all gymnasts, coaches have the right to transfer any gymnast to another program should they feel the gymnast does not have the necessary skills to remain in the current level. There is no extra fee associated with transfer; however, there may be an additional charge or credit for the price difference between the two programs. Please be aware that once registration has closed, transfers will not be permitted unless it is at the coach’s recommendation.



WITHDRAWALS

Withdrawal from any gymnastics program is permitted up until the end of the 2nd class, a credit will be applied to your account to put towards a future class. Refunds will only be given if the request for refund is made in writing prior to the 2nd day of classes commencing and will be granted at a prorated amount, or for medical reasons (a doctor’s note is required). A $20 administration fee will be applied to all withdrawal requests. Please note that the annual AGF insurance fee is NON-REFUNDABLE once you attend the first class.



CODE OF CONDUCT

SAGC reserves the right to remove athletes from classes due to abusive language or behavior that is dangerous and/or that may result in harm to others to ensure we maintain a safe and caring environment.

SAGC reserves the right to remove adults from the gym that are acting inappropriately towards staff or athletes. This includes, but is not limited to, aggressive conversations with staff, calling out to staff or athletes while viewing/ from the viewing area, inappropriate language and/ or verbal or physical abuse.

Situations that arise, will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.