Dolphina Gymnastics searches for new home after rent tripled

Dolphina Gymnastics, formerly based in a 8,500-square-foot Greycaine Road warehouse that it refurbished with Sport England funding, is now running its classes in a temporary location in Tanners Wood Hall, School Mead, Abbots Langley.

To make the move, the club, which had more than 1,000 members, had to make staff redundant and send its elite gymnasts away to other clubs.

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The Tanners Wood Hall location. (Image: Dolphina Gymnastics)Abbots Langley Parish Council, which manages Tanners Wood Hall, has apparently been “amazing” for the club but the site is only available on some evenings or early mornings and all equipment must be packed away afterwards.

While the old location had a café and facilities to meet the needs of competitive gymnasts, there is now less space and specialist equipment including the spring floor had to be sold.

Dolphina Gymnastics (Image: Dolphina Gymnastics)Although it was possible to arrange a temporary home ahead of the closure, and the club moved in February, managing director Teresa O’Neill says it soon became apparent that finding a permanent base “was going to be a very difficult task”.

Different locations around Watford have appeared to be an option before falling through.

While the club acknowledged that "it's business”, it is still feeling disappointed and let down "considering what we were in Watford" - as even working with Watford Borough Council has failed to produce a new home.

“It’s been a difficult time really,” Teresa said. “We’re just hitting brick walls everywhere we go.”

Dolphina Gymnastics (Image: Dolphina Gymnastics)Council executive director of place Tom Dobrashian said: “Dolphina are a well-used gymnastics group in our community, and it's a real shame that their old private landlord decided to triple their rent, which effectively made them leave the site."

He said finding a new site is “important” to the council and it is “actively engaged” with the process. It has connected with potential landlords and explored community or leisure centre options.

Dolphina Gymnastics (Image: Dolphina Gymnastics) “Unfortunately, no venue has been able to match their requirements so far, but we are continuing to support Dolphina in their search for a new, permanent home in the Watford area,” the officer added.

“We will assist them in any way we can.”

He also highlighted the council’s previous work when organisation like Watford Mencap and Watford Gymnastics Club were in similar situations.

Dolphina Gymnastics (Image: Dolphina Gymnastics)Dolphina Gymnastics (Image: Dolphina Gymnastics)Dolphina Gymnastics (Image: Dolphina Gymnastics)