Express & Star

Kristian Thomas' gymnastics club proposes new Oldbury home

A gymnastics club that boasts Olympian Kristian Thomas among its members could open a second home – as a four-year search for a new base finally came up trumps.

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Bosses at Earls Gymnastics club in Halesowen have been searching for new premises since 2012.

Now the 400-strong club has submitted proposals to Sandwell Council for a unit in Wharfside, Oldbury.

If planning permission is granted, the club will run two sites – keeping its existing base in Halesowen.

Chairman John Caulwell said: "The club we've got in Halesowen is booming and we simply can't meet the demand there.

"We've got a huge waiting list and we're hoping to serve a wider community by moving to Oldbury.

"If we get the planning permission we will have two centres running simultaneously under the same Earls Gymnastic Club banner – but they'll be offering slightly different programmes and in slightly different facilities.

"Gymnastics is hugely popular and the success at the Olympics has made an already popular sport even more so."

Wolverhampton-born Kristian, aged 27, just missed out on a medal in Rio as Great Britain finished fourth in the team all-around final.

But Mr Caulwell said the gymnast, who won gold on the floor at the 2015 European Championships, was a wonderful ambassador for Earls, adding: "He has got a perfect attitude for his sport.

A planning statement submitted by the club for a change of use at the Oldbury site states: "EGC have been looking for suitable premises for four years without success.

"When assessing the suitability of a property its not just the physical size requirements and parking provision but also location is a key factor.

"The travel time and distance for the 400-strong membership has to be considered."

The statement continues: "EGC is a longstanding gymnastics club with a national reputation for producing international gymnasts that truly help Great Britain compete on the world stage."

"The general adaptation of Unit 1 Rounds Green Oldbury will include the installation of gymnastics equipment and new changing/support facilities."

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