CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — C.J. Keliher and his fellow coaches have to be little selective with how much they advertise the Island Gymnastics Academy.
“Because we (already) have waiting lists for virtually every one of our classes and programs.”
The more they promote their organization, the more people they may have to turn down. Currently, the non-profit has about 1,300 members and 65 employees, Keliher said.
He was busy coaching Island gymnasts during the Prince Edward Classic at the Delta Hotel in Charlottetown from Jan. 17 to 19. The Academy-hosted event has been running since 1996 and attracts more than 400 gymnasts from across Atlantic Canada.
Over the weekend, P.E.I. had four gymnasts competing in the elite stream – two elites and two juniors.
“That’s probably the most we’ve ever had,” Keliher said.
As well, they currently have a line-up of gymnasts from every birth year since the previous decade, which helps make their competition stronger. On the regional and national level, P.E.I. is known to make a name for itself, he said.
“We always punch high above our weight.”
Keliher has been impressed with his pupils. With P.E.I. set to host the Canada Winter Games in 2023, many of the Academy’s gymnasts will be eligible by then, which has them motivated and setting long-term goals, he said.
“Most 13-year-olds aren’t doing long term goalsetting for the weekend.”
With all this growth, the Island Gymnastics Academy is starting to feel a little cramped. It’s been located at the House of Sport Royalty Centre on 40 Enman Street since the early 2000s.
The building’s gymnasium has served them well, but there simply isn’t enough room anymore for all their equipment – some of it has to sit in storage rather than be utilized.
“Because we just don’t have the space to put it in,” Keliher said. “We’ve outgrown that facility.”
While full details aren’t available yet, Keliher and Academy founder Jim Rand suggested a new, multimillion-dollar facility for Island Gymnastics Academy is in the works, and that a provincial announcement is set to be made soon.
“Which is long overdue,” Keliher said. “It’s going to be a wonderful thing once we get there.”