Gymnastics club looking to take on Mackenzie’s as training venue

SHETLAND Gymnastics Club is seeking to take over the former Mackenzie’s building in Cunningsburgh as a dedicated training venue for the club.

The club said in February it had secured a bank loan to purchase a building in the isles, though did not comment publicly on its location.

However it told Shetland News it was the Mackenzie’s building it was interested in, identifying it as an ideal location for its athletes to train in.

With more than 400 young children on its waiting list, the gymnastics club has been hampered by the lack of a purpose-built gymnastics facility since its inception in 2005.

The club has now submitted a change of use application to Shetland Islands Council for the use of the building as a gymnastics training venue.

Numerous setbacks have hit their search for a dedicated building, with the club saying in September 2023 it would look to build its own facility – despite that being the most expensive option.

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However coach Julie Grant said they now felt they had found a suitable building in the isles, which they hope to buy and move into.

“After so many years, the club has finally had a loan approved as well as building up club funds through endless fundraising and careful budgeting,” she said.

“This potential building will not only benefit the clubs’ current gymnasts and those on our waiting list but can also present an opportunity to improve the lives of those in other sports clubs and adults seeking an active lifestyle to improve their quality of life across Shetland.”

The club has struggled to cover costs to take its gymnasts south to train and compete, with Grant saying this week they were hoping to get another training trip in before the Island Games but finding availability to travel was “hindering their progress”.