The Olds Gymnastics Club is moving — again.
Later this month, they plan to move into a building in the 4200 block of 46th Avenue in an area zoned for light industrial activity.
During its latest meeting, the Municipal Planning Commission approved an application to change the use of the building to a fitness centre.
This is at least the third time the club has moved over the past few years.
Earlier this spring it moved temporarily into the Olds Curling Club after its lease at its former location in the Mountain View Plaza (the strip mall where Smitty's is located) expired at the end of April.
The club moved there in the spring of 2016 from its former quarters, the Ecole Olds Elementary School gym.
During an interview with the Albertan, Olds Gymnastics Club president Julie Johnston said they're moving to the 4210 46th Ave. location because at 6,580 square feet, it's about 2,000 square feet larger than their former premises in Mountain View Plaza.
Also, Johnston said, the ceiling in the new location is about four feet higher.
She said the club needed more space because it's growing.
Johnston said as of the end of April the club had about 250 members, up about 50 compared to last year.
" Just size-wise, it seemed some of our classes, it seemed congested. Like, once you get 20 kids in there it seems full," she said.
Another factor is the competitiveness of many of the club's members.
"They train year-round and that's part of it as well," Johnston said. "The level of gymnasts that we're having now need the equipment that we don't have space for.
"And that's a big one with space too, is you can offer more — and different — types of classes," she added.
She said the club will be renting the building — at least for now, because it would be difficult to obtain the funding needed to buy the place.
Johnston said the club has had no problems at the curling club.
"The curling rink is awesome. That would kind of be our dream space," she said with a laugh. "But that's down the road somewhere."
