New Kelvin Hall super-gym gears up for opening

From Monday August 22, the public will be able to take advantage of a large sprung floor, a fast track and tumble track, two beams, parallel, horizontal and uneven bars, a rings area and two pommel horses.

Among the new activities on offer will be trampoline classes, adult classes and freestyle gymnastics.

One of the first groups to use the new gym will be Storm Gymnastics which offers children of all ages, gender or ability, the chance to take part in the sport.

More than £100,000 has been spent on the new equipment which will be available to both elite and recreational gymnasts.

Glasgow Sport has worked with Gymnova, gymnastic suppliers to the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games and the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games to design a layout to ensure the best use of space.

Glasgow Life chairman Archie Graham said: “Glasgow has a long standing relationship with gymnastics and Kelvin Hall is iconic in the development of the sport’s popularity.

“It hosted the first Gymnastics Grand Prix series in 1997 and then every year until it closed for refurbishments so it only makes sense to have such a fantastic gymnastics offering available now the venue is reopening.

“Our current gymnastics programmes are growing more and more popular and this new facility will ensure we can continue to offer the best products and services for the people of Glasgow.”

Vanessa Paisley, one of the coaches a Storm Gymnastics, said the children were excited about the new facilities at Kelvin Hall.

She added: “To have top quality equipment and such a fantastic space available will be brilliant for our club.

“Gymnastics is an excellent sport and it is great to see that Glasgow Sport has included the best possible gymnastics offering in the redeveloped Kelvin Hall.”

Attendances at Glasgow Life’s seven gymnastics clubs have increased by 28 percent in the last year to more than 18,000 with attendances at its gymnastics pathways programmes increasing by 15% to more than 86,000.