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Press Release

Saturday, June 30, 2007 3:24 AM EDT
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By Kelly Brooks

Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer

MARIETTA - A $1.4 million renovation and addition at the 30-year-old Cobb Gymnastics Center at Larry Bell Park in Marietta did more than eliminate leaky ceilings.

"I honestly believe that this is the best gymnastics facility that we have in our state," said Cobb Challengers Gymnastics Director and Head Coach Christophe Voisin, who has been at the facility for two out of its three decades.

At a Friday ribbon-cutting ceremony outside the facility that actually re-opened at the end of May, Voisin said that during the six-month construction process, he stopped in about every day to check progress.

Now he doesn't have to worry about the strategic placement of trash cans to catch rain or chasing the occasional "little furry animals."

"We heard a lot of grumbling out there," northwest Cobb Commissioner Helen Goreham said at the ceremony. "And we listened."

According to Cobb Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Director Jimmy Gisi, the changes, which were funded by budget surplus money, were prompted by space issues.

"It was time for something to be done," he said.

The transformation - which included a 7,300-square-feet expansion with additional program area, new offices, a concession area, restrooms, lobby and mezzanine spectator area - will allow the gym to expand its class offerings and competitive team opportunities.

Young gymnasts like Erin Bookman, who performed a floor exhibition in the new center after the ceremony, and rings state champion Wyn Owen, said the changes mark a huge improvement that will, in the end, help their routines.

The renovation also resonated with county Manager David Hankerson, whose daughter entered the program at a young age and went on to cheerlead at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"This program was a foundation for my daughter," he said, noting his 6-year-old granddaughter is interested in gymnastics. "I think it's pretty impressive."

Gymnasts could tumble into Life gym

Monday, July 24, 2006 1:07 AM EDT
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By Amanda Williams

Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer

MARIETTA - When the Cobb County gymnastics community found out last month the county was going to renovate and expand the gymnastics center, parents of the gymnasts called it good news.

But learning that the program will most likely have a temporary home for six months during the renovation work is even better news.

"It's very good news because without temporary housing, we'd be out on the streets," said Lauren Wood-Viscardi, president of the Cobb Challengers gymnastics group. "So this is excellent news."

Commissioners are expected to approve an agreement at its regular meeting Tuesday with Life University to use a gymnasium for six months to temporarily house the county's gymnastics program during renovation of the Cobb Gymnastic Center on south Fairground Street behind the Cobb County Civic Center.

At $108,000 for six months, Commission Chairman Sam Olens said Life University is only charging the county about half their normal price to use their gym space for half the year.

Last month commissioners voted to spend $6,985,000 of its fiscal year 2005 budget surplus to complete several projects this year, including a $1.1 million facelift for the gymnastic center. Cobb plans to expand and renovate the facility.

Mrs. Wood-Viscardi said if the county had to close the center for six months without a temporary place for the gymnasts to practice, it would have been detrimental to some of the older students in the program.

"For our higher-level athletes, our high-school age students working toward getting scholarships at schools, they really can't afford to take the break," Mrs. Wood-Viscardi said. "So it's really important that we keep our athletes going."

Olens agreed.

"It would have pretty much killed the gymnastics program (to close down for six months)," Olens said.

The county gymnastics program has about 600 youths enrolled, and the competitive Cobb Challengers gymnastics team has about 70 participants. The gymnastics building is about 9,000 square feet.

Commissioners were asked in March to convert Hudgins Hall in the Civic Center into a full-time gymnastics facility but voted down the request in April.

The gymnastics center's leaky roof and inadequate space are just a few of the gymnastic community's concerns about the facility.

awilliams@mdjonline.com