Forres Gymnastics Club is being forced to train at Moray Sports Centre, Elgin
A successful sports group has been forced to move town after losing its home of 36 years.
Forres Gymnastics Club (FGC) is now based at Moray Sports Centre in Elgin following a decision by Forres Academy’s P.E. department to reclaim storage space used by the gymnasts that is vital for equipment.
Disappointed FGC head coach, Patsy Fraser-Mackenzie, confirmed that, despite hiring the space in the school gym since 1989, they are no longer allowed to use it.
She said: “We’ve rented council premises for 38 years, doing something wholesome and healthy, only for it to be very suddenly taken away and spoiled. This lack of support undermines what we are trying to achieve with girls from as far away as Cawdor, Craigellachie, Grantown, and Lossiemouth. It’s so difficult to get girls and young women motivated and engaged with sport but we’re doing just that, producing many district and national champions. We have other gymnasts who don’t necessarily win awards but still grow in self confidence with healthy bodies and minds.
“We want the club back where it belongs!”
In September 2023, Patsy was told by Forres Swimming Pool staff responsible for the school leisure facility lets that FGC could no longer train in the gym - an issue with RAAC concrete meant the school was using them for classrooms.
FGC asked other local primary schools and venues with halls if they could accommodate them but none had space. Training had to be put on hold as the search was expanded across Elgin and Nairn. Eventually they were offered Gordonstoun’s gym but this was withdrawn before their first session.
“We eventually secured some training hours at Dyke Village Hall,” said Patsy. “We were welcomed and managed to keep a basic programme going, resulting in some medals at the Scottish Floor and Vault Championships in November, 2023.
“However, at the end of that month we had to vacate as the hall was needed for pantomime. Homeless again, we were back to the drawing board!”
FGC finally secured time at Moray Sports Centre last January.
Patsy said: “Whilst enjoying the facility, the travel for gymnasts, parents and coaches who all live west of Elgin makes it difficult.”
However, last August, FGC heard from a gymnast who attends Forres Academy that the school gym was no longer being used as a classroom.
Patsy said: “On enquiry at the pool, I was informed that we would be welcome to use the gym again but there would be no space for our equipment as the school had taken over use of our storage cupboard which outside groups had hired for a long time.
“Years ago, we paid for a joiner to shelve the cupboard so that it would be tidy and allow other groups to share the space.
“We wrote to the academy’s head of P.E. asking if we could share it again. We were informed that the head teacher would be in touch - we are still waiting!”
FGC then wrote to Moray Council and were advised that the school needs the storage space “to comply with safety requirements advised by the fire service.“ The local authority recommended FGC use outdoor containers instead.
“We can’t carry all of our kit from outdoors through corridors with wet feet etc during winter,” explained Patsy. “This would also add an hour on to setting up kit, dismantling and putting it all away.
“Schools use outdoor stores for outdoor activities which is a totally different situation.”
She finished: “We can no longer run the club in our home town and the council has been of no help. It’s a poor way to treat a club that has a good reputation and track record of wins, especially considering how difficult it is to keep girls and young women engaged with sport.”
A Moray Council spokesperson apologised for FGC feeling aggrieved.
He said: “This was not intentional. FGC were asked to remove equipment from the gym hall storage as it is required by the school to store their own equipment.
“All lets for the hall were temporarily stopped while it was used as classroom space due to RAAC. The lets resumed after Easter 2024 when it was no longer being used for classrooms.
“External storage has been offered as a potential solution for the club. Council officers would be happy to explore this further.”
For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/p/Forres-Gymnastics-Club-61550094314479/
