Simcoe Gliders find potential new gymnastics home

Simcoe Gliders’ team spirit has carried them through some tough times in the past year. The gymnastics club has found a potential new home, pending zoning amendment approval from the county. Pictured in the front row are Brooklyn Barnes, Harper Cecchin, Duke DeRuiter and Addison Barnes. Back row from left are Patrick DeRuiter, Victoria DeRuiter, Amy Cecchin, Makenna Cecchin, Emily DeRuiter, Lainey DeRuiter and Len Herrewynen. 

Alex Hunt

Advocate Correspondent

In 2024, Norfolk County Agricultural Society asked the Simcoe Gliders to vacate the Grandstand building before the end of June 2025.

After months of searching, the nearly 52-year-old gymnastics club has a potential new location to continue programming. 

A conditional lease agreement has finalized signing, as the Gliders organizers wait for zoning amendment approval from the county. More details, such as the new facility location, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks by the club.

Lisa Follington, administrator for the Gliders, said that they are currently finalizing a temporary home if the amendment approval exceeds the June 30 deadline.

Due to the new location’s higher operational costs, the club has announced a ‘Change is Good’ campaign to help raise funds to support building and programming needs.

“Simcoe Gliders have been in Norfolk County for over 50 years, and we have offered many forms of programming over this time,” said Follington. “We have offered jobs to local youth and adults as well throughout the community and we hope to continue to do that.”

Follington said the organization is currently rebuilding itself after the fork in the road but promises an exciting future ahead with expanded programming due to the facility's new floor space.

“The layout of the gym is a lot nicer, it's a fresh new space, it's exciting. We want to be able to serve the families and welcome new ones,” said Follington.

“Sometimes things happen for a reason and this new facility will hopefully bring forth some new things. We are going to do a lot of fundraising in the future because the new location is more than what we paid at the Grandstand for sure.”

On June 1, Boston Pizza will be hosting a Simcoe Gliders fundraiser ‘Dine for Cause’ at their Simcoe location. All community members are invited to the event costing $20 per ticket. The event will feature pizza and pasta dishes with 50 per cent of the proceeds donated to the Gliders.

“This is a very exciting new chapter for us. It’s bittersweet because we have been at the fairgrounds for so long but it's great to have something to move into,” said Follington. “We were getting a little worried for a while. We appreciate that families are willing to assist us with this endeavor.”