THUNDER BAY -- Kathleen Varey got her first taste of gymnastics when she was only one-year-old.
Now 16, Kathleen is a provincial calibre gymnast who remains dedicated to following her athletic path.
“I’d like to go as far as I can,” she said.
She is continuing her pursuit of the sport at Ultimate Gymnastics, the city’s newest club which opened recently on Alloy Drive.
Ultimate Gymnastics head coach Mirela Bica said the new 4,800 square foot facility has all of the equipment any gymnast could hope to have access to as they try to perfect their skills.
“They can do absolutely anything they’d like in gymnastics,” she said.
The club currently has 13 competitive gymnasts, ranging from the youngest at 10 to the senior members like Kathleen.
Many of them have been fixtures at provincial competitions, with the number growing as they get exposed to more events.
“They’re doing very well,” Bica said. “When I first started in Thunder Bay in 2010 we had a small group of competitive athletes at the provincial level, which now they’re really liked this higher level of competitions.”
Co-owner Greg Balec said there are between 75 and 100 registered members in the few short months the club has been operational.
“We are catering to recreational and competitive gymnastics from 18 months all the way up to adult,” Balec said. “The interest is pretty amazing. The brand new equipment is a big draw.”
In addition to the thrill of competing, Kathleen enjoys the social element of the sport. She has developed many bonds over her 15 years as a gymnast.
Now, having a new and growing club is a good thing.
“It’s a great activity and you meet such nice people. You make really good friendships,” she said.
