Denmark Gymnastics Club fighting to survive after lease end and no new home forces temporary end of classes

The future of gymnastics in Denmark is in limbo with a local club’s lease on its previous home ending and its bid to find a new venue so far unsuccessful. Denmark Gymnastics Club is desperately seeking a new home after the lease at its Middleton Street premises ended, forcing the club to stop running classes in the meantime. The lease on its former building ended on February 15, with the club given four weeks notice to vacate, and they have not been able to find a suitable new place to set up. Without a suitable home base, the club could not run its regular classes, and on Monday announced it would have to temporarily close while they found somewhere new. Club president Herman Quakkelsteijn said consultation had been ongoing with the Shire of Denmark, with the best-case scenario finding or building a premises big enough for the club to share with other sporting and community groups. “The ideal scenario would be to be able to use a plot of shire land and partner with them through fundraising and grants to be able to build something that we and other community groups can use,” he said. “There is a demand for it in the community, and we shared our past facilities with martial arts groups, group fitness, yoga, as well as Southern Edge Arts from Albany who do aerial and circus classes as well.” The club found a premises they thought could be suitable, but unfortunately could not move in because the building was in an industrial-zoned area. “We are at the point where we don’t really know where to go,” Mr Quakkelsteijn said. “The reality is that Denmark is quite small, and facilities like the recreation centre are solidly booked out, with a waiting list most of the time. “With our equipment, we need a permanent place to set up, it isn’t the kind of equipment that we can pack up and down every week if we need to move in and out. “We have 80 to 100 students now, and it’s sad for them that it’s come to the point where we have to close because we have nowhere to go. “The risk for us now is that if we have to be closed for any extended length of time that those students might have to start finding other sports in the meantime and commit to those instead.” The club is calling on the Denmark community to support its fight for survival. “Anyone in the community that might be able to help, whether they know of a shed or a building that might be suitable, or they have a lease ending soon we could take over, any help would be appreciated,” Mr Quakkelsteijn said. A Shire of Denmark spokesperson said they had worked proactively with the club to help try to find a suitable new facility, and would continue to help the club however they could. “Officers have met with organisers, explored a range of potential locations, and committed to fast‑tracking any application to support a smooth transition,” the spokesperson said. “While it is disappointing that a new venue has not yet been secured, the shire remains committed to assisting Denmark gymnastics wherever possible.”