Commonwealth Games star opens £1.3m gymnastics hub

Commonwealth Games veteran, and three-time all round medallist, 29 year old Mimi-Isabella Cesar, was a VIP guest at the new Long Eaton home of Erewash Valley Gymnastics Club, which also has a training centre in Hallam Fields Road, Ilkeston.

The booming club is celebrating its golden anniversary. Its New Tythe Street site was demolished and rebuilt from the ground up thanks to support from a local family trust.  The project took a year.

Erewash Borough Council has backed its mission to find Olympic gymnasts of the future with a £1,500 “Fast Funding” community grant towards new equipment.

The grants use government money to boost organisations that benefit the community. Details are here: Community Grants

The gymnastics club’s Jo Nicklin hailed “the lovely turn-out for our official opening”. Mimi-Isabella was greeted by children including some wearing boxing gloves. They are members of Long Eaton Amateur Boxing Club, which also uses the gym. 

Jo said of the new gymnastics facilities: “We have some spaces available for new gymnasts and would welcome new starters from January. Parents and carers can contact the club to inquire about spaces available at either Long Eaton or Ilkeston.”

Erewash Borough Council Deputy Leader, Councillor Becca Everett, who is also Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “The club is one of the biggest in the Midlands – and a fantastic asset to the borough. We are delighted to see that after 50 years it continues to go from strength to strength.”