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Parents, coaches and young athletes plead with council to protect gymnastics programs at American Fork Rec Center
Summary
Dozens of residents and gymnasts told the council that proposed repurposing of the Rex Center gymnasium threatens team continuity, youth opportunity and a revenue source for the city; speakers asked that renovation plans preserve current program space and capacity.
Dozens of parents, coaches and young athletes spoke during public comment on June 23 to urge the American Fork City Council to preserve gymnastics and other youth programs at the American Fork Recreation Center.
Rita Law (who was later addressed as Mrs. Ellis in the record) told the council the rec center programs generate significant revenue and asked that any repurposing preserve the gym’s features that accommodate gymnastics and youth sports. Multiple athletes — including Lena Law, Olivia Hunsicker and others — described how the Twisters gymnastics program built confidence, competitive opportunity and life skills; several testified that the city program provides affordable access that private clubs cannot replicate.
Parents and long-time participants said program revenue supports the facility and brings money into the city because families outside American Fork enroll children in Twisters and pay program tuition. Several speakers asked that rec-center renovation funds be linked to program protections so management could not eliminate or downsize gymnastics and associated classes.
Speakers described the competitive and developmental pipeline — claiming that discontinuing a season would force athletes to forfeit team placements and could end college-aspirations for some — and asked for concrete assurances that programs will not be displaced. Councilmembers and staff acknowledged the concern and said the rec center’s maintenance needs (pool repairs, roof work) must be addressed alongside program continuity.
Next steps: multiple callers asked the council to require that any facility improvement plan preserve gymnastics space and to consult user groups before final design decisions. Councilmembers said they would consider tying rec-center renovation funds to program protections when budgeting.
