Almost a year after a long-running gymnastics club in Wallaceburg closed down, one of its former members started to get a new one up and running.
Linnea Druer, the head coach with Dragons Elite Gymnastics and Cheer, had been with the Wallaceburg Flying W’s for about 30 years. The Flying W’s closed in summer 2021 due to financial challenges from COVID-19 measures.
“I just felt there was a huge need for the kids to be able to be active and do things that they love,” Druer said.
“When we were shut down, I ended up being able to find a new space for us. I still had all the equipment. I thought I would give it a try and see if I can get this back up and running.”
Druer said this process “was hard, but we did it.” Dragons Elite opened in the spring this year at 6850 Baseline Rd. and has offered daily classes, plus gym rentals, birthday parties and activities for school groups.
Rachel Goodreau, the treasurer, is the only other current member of the executive, though other coaches work with the club.
As a non-profit, Dragons Elite is seeking out grants and sponsorships from businesses, Druer said. The club is also working with Jumpstart Charities, which gives financial help for registration to families who need it.
In terms of attendance, Druer said the summertime was a challenge, but it always has been because there are more outdoor activities.
“We ran some fun programs throughout March Break and we had quite a few kids come for that and then we ran some classes all the way through until now,” she said.
“We have quite a few kids come in and our registration so far has been pretty awesome. It’s looking good for fall.”
Fall classes were scheduled to begin Sept. 11, but the club accepted late registration. There are different sessions for one-year-olds up to 18-year-olds.
“We have junior and senior cheerleading also, so that’s our competitive program that we run,” Druer said.
The programs are “still basically the same” as they were at the Wallaceburg Flying W’s, she said, but the club is a “fresh new start.”
Aside from the gymnastics and cheerleading within the programs, Druer said the children learn skills they will take with them throughout their lives.
“They learn sportsmanship, teamwork, all the life skills they need to go on to become productive members of our community,” she said.
Registration or sponsorship inquiries can be addressed to 519-627-0135, [email protected] or the Dragon ELITE Facebook page.