Spokane Gymnastics is Committed to Keeping Everyone Safe
SAFE SPORT
Spokane Gymnastics has always been ahead of the industry and upheld vigorous safety requirements, including background checks for all staff and policies to ensure that there is never an opportunity for any type of abuse. In addition, all staff are committed to ongoing training and following all policies established by USA Gymnastics and Safesport.
Helpful links:
https://athletesafety.org/training/index
https://usagym.org/pages/education/safesport/
OUR FACILITIES
ARGONNE VILLAGE – 2515 N. Locust Road Spokane Valley 99206
Our main facility is located near Argonne and Montgomery, just east of the Yokes Fresh Market. We feature all Olympic events (spring floor, high bar, parallel bars, uneven bars, vault, rings, pommel horse and beams), plus 40′ long tumbl trak, rod floor, inflatable jumping castle, and air bag “pit” with zip-line! Our entire 30,000 s.f. facility is air conditioned. We have viewing areas for parents and siblings to be able to watch all rotations, plus a walking track upstairs in the main gym, toddler area, plus large lobby. We offer complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, and snacks and drinks are available for purchase.
SPOKANE GYMNASTICS PINES – 11712 E. Montgomery Drive Spokane Valley 99206
Our team training facility, which can be seen from I-90 just west of Pines, features spring floors, uneven and high bars, vaults, beams, 40′ and 46′ tumbl traks, rod floor, double-mini trampoline, Euro-trampoline and resi-pits. The 17,000 s.f. facility is set up to provide an exceptional experience for competitive athletes. There is an upstairs viewing area for parents and plenty of space for physical distancing.
SPOKANE GYMNASTICS HISTORY
Spokane Elite Gymnastics was in business for over 30 years, with multiple owners in several different Valley locations. In August 1999, Seattle Gymnastics Academy, Inc. bought Spokane Elite Gymnastics. In June 2007, Nadine Burgess was promoted to manage Spokane Elite Gymnastics. The small but mighty crew transformed Spokane Elite Gymnastics to provide quality preschool, instructional and competitive programs.
Growth continued until the Spring of 2010, when the owner of Seattle Gymnastics Academy opted to focus on his four gyms in Seattle. He provided the opportunity for the staff at Spokane Elite Gymnastics to buy the business. Nadine Burgess, the current owner, started a new corporation and changed the name to “Spokane Gymnastics” in conjunction with the new ownership effective July 1, 2010, which better reflects the mission of Spokane Gymnastics, to provide an exceptional gymnastics experience for students with all levels and goals. All new equipment was purchased and installed in June and July of 2010.
In February 2011, Spokane Gymnastics expanded by leasing an additional 4,000 square feet adjacent to the Broadway facility, bringing the academy’s total size to 11,000 square feet. Enrollment growth continued, and in September of 2013, Nadine purchased the 30,000 square foot facility only a couple of miles east of the former leased Broadway location. All programs moved to the main facility, now known as “Spokane Gymnastics Argonne Village” in 2014.
Because of the incredible team of dedicated coaches, Spokane Gymnastics has grown from a small program with eight part-time coaches teaching 125 students. In March of 2020, before COVID hit, Spokane Gymnastics included 82 employees serving 2200 students enrolled in structured classes.
While COVID caused an initial 4-month closure of Spokane Gymnastics, Nadine remained determined to serve her staff, kiddos, families, community, and industry with the same creativity, enthusiasm, and collaboration that she built her program over the previous decade.
Expansion during a global pandemic is not for everyone, but the process started before the emergence of COVID and fits in with Nadine’s mantra of “anything worth doing is worth overdoing.” She purchased another local gymnastics club, hired the founders and members of the coaching staff, and opened the 17,000 s.f. “Spokane Gymnastics Pines” team training facility on June 1, 2020.
Both gyms safely operated from July 6 – November 16, 2020, before being shut down for a second time due to a state-wide government mandate. While open between closures, the program’s value to students, families, and the community was tested and affirmed. The coaches at Spokane Gymnastics demonstrated that they could and would step up to do whatever was needed to serve children safely, and all operations were updated. The safety protocols, consistent care for everyone who enters either facility and adapted business model were proved.
The coaches at Spokane Gymnastics strive to balance teaching proper gymnastics techniques along with keeping gymnastics fun! Over the past decade, everyone on the crew at Spokane Gymnastics has contributed to providing an excellent instructional program in a fun and supportive environment and also producing high-quality competitive gymnasts.
While the trials of 2020 have been more than anyone could have ever imagined, it also revealed the character of the team at Spokane Gymnastics and just how determined, creative, safe, and wacky they are. Even more committed than ever, the crew has worked incredibly hard behind the scenes to be prepared to welcome back students to Spokane Gymnastics!
Both facilities re-opened in the winter of 2021, with instructional students enjoying classes at Argonne Village and all competitive athletes and teams having a condensed, but a full season. The individual gymnasts and teams did exceptionally well, earning many awards and recognition at various competitions throughout the season.
OUR EFFORTS TO CREATE A NUT-FREE ZONE
We have many students in our program who have SEVERE and LIFE-THREATENING peanut allergies. Please do not bring any products containing nuts into our facility. Thank you for your consideration; we appreciate your cooperation so we can do everything possible to provide a safe environment for everyone who enters our facility. If you or your child has any medical conditions that we need to be aware of to be extra vigilant in protecting them, please contact the service desk or discuss directly with your coach. Please be aware that while we make every effort to provide a nut-free zone, we cannot guarantee our success since we have many children, parents and visitors enter our facility who may not be aware of our policy.
SPOKANE GYMNASTICS PHILOSOPHY
We exist to make a positive impact in the lives of our students. Our purpose is to develop happy, healthy, confident young men and women. The coaches at Spokane Gymnastics are dedicated to providing a positive atmosphere for all parents, students, and staff members. Our focus is and will always be in the best interest of the child. Safety is of the utmost importance and will never be compromised. We offer a progressive gymnastics program with the goal to help students develop strength, skill, and character through gymnastics training. We are committed to providing the best gymnastics program in the area in a fun and safe gym! We build a foundation of coordination, strength, and responsibility that will enable your child’s success in any athletic endeavors.
OUR MISSION
Encourage the development of strength, skill, and character through gymnastics training in a positive environment where every student has the greatest opportunity to succeed, no matter what their level or goal.
OUR STAFF
Spokane Gymnastics employs the finest coaches and support staff available in our industry. Every employee is screened with a background check and must complete rigorous training before coaching their own classes. We provide ongoing monthly training to all instructors and most attend many local, state-wide, and regional conferences and hands-on training events.
FIRST AID AND CPR CERTIFIED
Spokane Gymnastics is committed to contributing to the well-being of everyone who enters our facility, plus our community and greatest. Therefore, at any time over 90% of all staff at Spokane Gymnastics are both first aid and CPR certified. Spokane Gymnastics invests in providing this training and paying staff for their time several times a year.
OUR MASCOTS
Spokane Gymnastics has live mascots! In October of 2013, we adopted Jemma, an Australian Shepard and Border Collie mix, from “Power of the Paw” rescue in Idaho. Jemma is very smart and thankfully has outgrown her naughty puppy stage. She enjoys morning jogs and checking all the garbages for leftover snacks.
Kai joined our family in March 2016 and was adopted from Adams County Rescue. She is a golden retriever, vizsla, whippet mix who is naturally very thin and has black spots on her tongue. Kai is quite spoiled and likes to sit high on chairs where she can keep an eye on the kiddos.
We are thrilled to welcome “Oηµείο” (Simeío – pronounced Sim-E-0) to the family! Oηµείο is a female Dalmatian, who was born in Spokane Valley on June 23, 2022. All the Argonne Village pups (Jemma, Kai, and Oηµείο) are contained behind the desk in the lobby or enjoy time outside in their kennel. They love their daily morning hikes and the attention from the students from being Spokane Gymnastic’s mascots! The pups go home each night with Coach Nadine!
At Pines, our team gym, Coach Jordan’s dog Zeus is the king. Born in 2019, he is full Chihuahua and enjoys sun bathing, playing with his ferret friends and howling at the fire truck and ambulance sirens. Zeus is loved by all who get to meet him and like Kai, enjoys climbing high on chairs and desks where he can see all the action.
USA GYMNASTICS MEMBER CLUB
USA Gymnastics (USAG) is the sole national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in the United States. This designation comes from the U.S. Olympic Committee, and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). USAG sets the rules and policies that govern gymnastics in the United States. Spokane Gymnastics is a USAG Member Club. Many of our coaches are Professional Members as well as USAG Safety Certified. Spokane Gymnastics instructors have earned numerous additional USAG certifications through Regional Congresses and training throughout the Northwest.