JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After a massive fire ravaged a Westside gymnastics facility over two years ago, Gymnastics Unlimited still found ways to train and conquer new milestones.
The gymnastics gym on Lenox Avenue served children for more than 35 years before an overnight fire destroyed it in April 2023.
Now, the gym is operating under condensed conditions, with an exercise floor half the size of the standard floor and a tumbling track that leads to a vault that’s partially outside and covered by a tent.
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But despite the setbacks, the facility has had multiple successes with gymnasts competing in state and national competitions.
“Gymnastics is a very tough sport, and these young ladies are inspiring, and there are no excuses being made,” Gymnastics Unlimited owner Lisa Music said. “They love the sport. They are passionate about it, and we are a family together. My motto is building champions from the inside out, and these young ladies definitely represent that.”
Gymnast, Keimani Moore, just got back from a national championship this past weekend.
“I got third on floor, and my Region Eight team got second place overall,” said Moore.
The potential winning streak isn’t over just yet for Gymnastics Unlimited. Another gymnast, Lindsey Knox, will head to different nationals competition. While she does have some nerves, that’s not what she’s focusing on.
“The main thing is just to have fun,” Knox explained.
The gym is working to rebuild the old location but has run into a few roadblocks.
“We’re still unfortunately, still struggling with the city for permits and getting civil engineers passed and everything and moving forward,” said Music. “But the girls have done amazing.”
While the space they’re currently in is small, the gymnasts take the challenges in stride.
“I mean, it’s not a lot to overcome, because you get used to it over time. Like the floor, for instance. Like you just go in the same, you go in the same corner. It’s just like going in four corners, but you just go in the same one,” Knox shared.
“I’m glad that we had found a place here that we could still work on and like practice,” said Moore. “I just felt so grateful that we have somewhere that we could practice and that nothing can bring us down at all.”
There is a GoFundMe to help with the rebuilding efforts.
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