Kerikeri gym club's SOS for new premises

Young gymnasts, from left, Grace Calnan (12, Kerikeri), Zoe Ackers (11, Waipapa) and Ava Bavister (10, Waimate North) don't know if they will be able to keep training once their club moves out of its leased premises in two weeks' time. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Kerikeri's young gymnasts are sending out an SOS for a new gym after they were given two weeks to vacate their current building.

Kerikeri Gymnastics Club moved into the old Placemakers store on Sammaree Place, in the town's industrial area, as a temporary measure 10 years ago, on the understanding they would have to move out if the building was leased or sold.

That day has finally come, and the club's almost 200 members, aged 5-17, have until October 1 to pack up and find a new place to train.

Young gymnasts, from left, Ava Bavister (10, Waimate North), Anna Davison (12, Kerikeri), Grace Calnan (12, Kerikeri) and Zoe Ackers (11, Waipapa). Photo / Peter de Graaf

The club wants to build a gym at the BaySports complex in Waipapa but has a long way to go to raise the estimated $1 million needed.

In the meantime, club president Janet McLea is seeking a suitable building, such as a packhouse, in the Kerikeri area. Ideally it would have a 6m ceiling and floor space of at least 20m by 25m.

"We're desperate. We've only got two weeks."

The club's landlord had a soft spot for community groups and charged well below the market rate, but the gymnasts always knew they'd have to move out if a commercial tenant or buyer was found.

Though run-down, the Sammaree Place building was ideally located near Kerikeri's schools and had plenty of parking. The new occupants are due to move in next month.

In the meantime the club is still working towards building its own gym with fundraising plans including a trolley derby in November. A feasibility study found a permanent home was needed for gymnastics in Kerikeri and would be used by a range of other groups.

The club, which has been running for 40 years, meets four evenings a week. The gym is also used by preschool groups four days a week.

• If you know a suitable venue contact Mrs McLea on kerikerigymclub@gmail.com or 021 051 7766.