Gymnasts take centre stage at ‘Springfest’ this weekend

Despite producing only a small local contingent, the Fort Frances Gymnastics Academy is anticipating a solid day of competition when it hosts its annual ‘Springfest’ meet here on Saturday.
“There’s only seven or eight from our club competing,” said meet convener Maureen Hahkala, who added this up-and-down season has seen them lose a good portion of their 20 competitive gymnasts from last year.
But since having their head coaches step down last month, the club has rebounded to try and finish the season on a strong note.
In addition to the Springfest preparations, they’ve purchased a new set of uneven bars and a vault, and are looking to send their provincial competitors to a meet in Winnipeg next month.
A season-ending “Display Day” wind-up is scheduled here on April 27.
“Things are going well. [Interim competitive coach] Jolene [Hogan] has been working with the other coaches and the kids and they’re having fun –more fun than they were having,” noted Hahkala.
Other clubs from Kenora, Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, and Thunder Bay will round out the field of 60 competitors from ages seven to 14.
Girls will compete in the beam, uneven bars, floor, and vault events while boys will enter in the floor, vault, rings, parallel bars, buck horse, and high bars.
Registration for Springfest begin at 8 a.m. with competitions running until about 4:30 p.m. Cost for adults is $2 while children get in for free. Various raffles will be held throughout the day.