Save Fyrish Gymnastics Club campaign targets Highland heroes
THERE was an air of quiet determination around bustling Fyrish Gymnastics Club this week as a team of dedicated coaches put a throng of excited youngsters through their paces.
The sight of rapid-fire backflips, thrilling vaults and bold bar dismounts from was accompanied by the occasional squeal of laughter and the encouraging instructions of coaches Hannah Emerson and Darcie Houston.
Behind the scenes, a campaign to secure the future of the Alness base that once served as a BT contact centre is gaining momentum. Both local MP Jamie Stone and MSP Maree Todd are pledging to do all they can and the community responding to a fresh funding drive.
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The club has a secure lease up until the beginning of 2028, but the building - which houses a purpose-built sprung floor and extensive equipment the envy of the Highlands and islands gymnastics’ community - is now on the open market.
The post-Olympics bounce typically enjoyed by sports’ clubs has taken a wobble here.
Fyrish had been hoping to purchase the building it leases from BT for around £150,000 - but the asking price has since mushroomed to £400,000.
Fundraising ‘thermometers’ about the place show the original target of £146,370 - so the sense of bewilderment is understandable.
BT has drawn on the local community for years to staff its contact centres and there are still hopes that the telecoms giant - which has leased the premises at half the going rental rate - will show goodwill towards a club that regularly caters for over 800 people.
The extent of the Fyrish club’s impact on the local community and well beyond is there for all to see.
Behind the scenes, Claire Gordon and Kirsty McTaggart are working on fundraising and drawing up a wider business plan that will help pull together match-funding for the £80,000 they intend to raise as a deposit.
Everyone is adamant that this is where the club belongs long term with a previous two to three year waiting list for places at the Averon Centre now cleared.
Claire has been coming to the club for 12 years and seen her daughter Carol (17), who has autism, develop from a young enthusiast the club found space for into a gold medal winning athlete.
Said Claire: “I’m hoping there’s someone out there who can help. It’s not just about the money but the knowledge. We hope businesses will help and that someone with expertise in funding applications might step up to volunteer their help too.”
A BT Group spokesperson said: “The gymnastics club adjacent to the former BT office in Alness is on a long-term lease, from BT to the club, until 2028. We have been providing the property at significantly reduced rent for several years to the current tenant. While we have advertised the building for sale at the current market value as we no longer need it, we are open to any offer, especially from the current tenant, to purchase it.”
The Please Save Our Gymnastics Club GoFundMe can be found here.
