Gymnastics club seeks

facility at

remodeled

Vogel Arena

Park panel cool

to club's proposal

By CHRIS VETTER

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- A gymnastics club in town is seeking an enclosed space within Vogel Arena.

The New Ulm Area Gymnastics Academy (NUAGA) lobbied the Park & Recreation Commission on Monday for a portion of the floor in Vogel Arena after the ice rink is remodeled into gymnasium space, likely in fall or winter 2002.

Cindy Cihak, NUAGA board member, told the commission that the group is looking for a permanent location for its gymnastic equipment. Moving the trampolines and balancing beams causes significant wear and tear on the equipment, she added.

The group currently leases space in Viking Land Transportation Systems on North Front Street. Gigi Rysdahl, NUAGA board member said the group is happy with its current site, but the group would like a larger, more centrally-located facility.

"We're not desperate. We can stay where we are. But I think the community will use it," Rysdahl said. "Part of the reason we are here is to convince you that there will be year-round use."

Cihak agreed, saying the group would like to obtain a 70-by-100-foot space within Vogel Arena.

"We're lacking pits and we're lacking spectator space," she said. "We are willing to pay reasonable rent for year-round use."

The academy, which has non-profit status, was founded in 1998. More than 200 students ages 3-18 enroll in classes that stretch throughout the school year. Summer clinics also are available.

Dave Bechtold, park and recreation director, was skeptical of the plan, saying the commission generally wants its facilities to have multiple uses.

"This will essentially take up one basketball court," Bechtold said. It also could block a portion of the running track that will circle the courts.

After the ice rink opens at the Brown County Fairgrounds sometime in fall 2002, the current ice rink space at Vogel Arena will be remodeled, making room for three basketball courts. The space also can be used for volleyball, floor hockey and tennis.

Commission member Dennis Jaspersen expressed qualms about the proposal.

"Every building we build must be multi-purpose," Jaspersen said. "My overriding problem is we have to give up gym space. I have real concerns if this can work within our current financial restraints."

The city is planning to construct or upgrade three park and recreation facilities. The current plans have a pricetag above $11 million, but must be scaled back to fit under a $9 million cap.

"Unfortunately, we are already $2 million over budget as it is,"Jaspersen said.

Bechtold was not completely opposed to finding gym space for gymnastics, but said it is unlikely to be placed in the Vogel Arena fieldhouse.

"Maybe the approach we need to take is to build a separate gym for gymnastics," Bechtold suggested.

However, that gym would not be built from the $9 million in bonds the commission received from voters last fall. There is no cost estimate for a gymnastics center.

Cihak would like a portion of the Vogel floor converted into three trampoline pits. However, no other sports could be played on that floorspace if pits are installed.

The group wants the space enclosed to ensure that no one plays on the equipment without monitoring. Cihak said she has concerns about who would be liable for injuries that could occur on the equipment.

Commission member Mary Ann Hussman also expressed concern about injuries.

"The liability issue to me is enormous," Hussman said, adding that she favors finding room for gymnastics. "If the money is there, I'd be all for it."

Rysdahl said the current space is smaller than NUAGA would prefer, adding that there is only one pit and room for 30 gymnasts at a time. The club sometimes has to turn people away because of lack of room, she said.

Turner Hall also offers gymnastic programs, but that site is also small and some visiting clubs have pulled out of events there in recent years because the space is tight, NUAGA members said.

Bechtold encouraged the NUAGA members to apply for grants and continue working on their plans, and bring them back to the commission in the near future.