We, the undersigned, support the expansion of the Arlington County gymnastics facilities to meet the current and future needs of the community. 

The Arlington Gymnastics Program is a well-run and successful athletic program; it is a regional Center of Excellence.  This high-quality sports program provided recreational opportunities for over 7,000 participants in 2013 and produced athletes competing at one of the top levels of the sports, Level 9 Nationals.  We ask that Arlington County dedicate more space for gymnastics.  Expanding the Arlington Gymnastics Program is currently in Arlington's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) proposed by the County Manager.

Expansion of the Arlington Gymnastics Program will:

•  - Provide increased revenue for the county
•  - Address the large waitlist
•  - Support FitArlington

As articulated by the Arlington Fiscal Affairs Advisory Commission in regards to the FY15 Parks & Recreational Budget, there is concern about the pressures of programming for school-age children for the gymnastics programs and urge county-wide efforts to address these needs.  As recommended by the Arlington Sports Commission (March 2014), Arlington County should provide adequate gymnastics facilities.  As the projection of children in the Arlington Public School system continues to increase steadily over the next 10 years, this demand for recreational and competitive gymnastics will not go away but will intensify.