Tuesday, 19 March 2024

 Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:19): (754) My question is to the minister for sport, and I ask: will the government provide the additional funding for a custom-built gymnasium and subsidise the rent required by CYC Gymsports, home of the Cheltenham Youth Club, in order to prevent the club from being forced to close as the club’s projected rent is said to be increasing by $100,000 per year very soon? The club, which has been in operation since 1956, championed Commonwealth Games gold and silver medallists and Olympic medal gymnastic hopefuls like Kate McDonald and world age-group trampoline champion Brock Batty. Seventy-five per cent of the club’s members are women, 98 per cent are under 18 and 77 per cent live in Kingston. The gym facilities are used by local schools, and it employs 45 staff and coaches. Additional funding is needed to provide the minimum roof height of 10 metres, a suitable viewing area for parents and additional parking and peak-hour drop-off.