Progress on Gatineau's plan for a new gymnastics facility

Tashi Farmilo

The City of Gatineau has confirmed plans to construct a new 20,000-square-foot gymnastics facility in the western sector, as part of a broader effort to address a significant demand for sports infrastructure in the region. This development is aimed at replacing smaller, inadequate facilities in Aylmer and Hull, which have struggled to meet current programming needs.

According to Marie-Ève Léger of Gatineau’s Communications Service, the need for enhanced gymnastic facilities was specifically acknowledged in the city's Master Plan for Recreational, Sports, and Community Infrastructure, adopted by the municipal council in 2022. "Section 8.2.3 of the Master Plan underlines a critical shortage of facilities equipped to handle the level of activities offered by Unigym, particularly in the western sector," Léger stated.

This initiative follows a comprehensive review by consulting firm BC2, which conducted a comparative analysis and feasibility study for a new gymnastics facility. The consultants recommended the construction of a significant new facility to replace the existing ones in Aylmer and Hull, a proposal that has been integrated into the city's Master Plan.

Despite several past projects falling through, the city has maintained a close collaboration with Unigym for years, exploring various partnerships and opportunities. A breakthrough came with the collaborative efforts with the Centre de services scolaire des Portages-de-l’Outaouais, leading to the integration of the new gymnastics facility in the upcoming elementary school project north of Pink Road.

Jean-Paul Caron, a current board member and former Director General of Unigym from 2018 to 2022, shared his enthusiasm about the development. "The city has confirmed that they secured a piece of land on Pink Road and the project is going ahead. The new facility will be in a good location in Gatineau which is what we’ve been fighting for and it should be finished in a few years' time," said Caron.

This new facility is expected to address the disparities in sports infrastructure, particularly impacting opportunities for young athletes, especially girls. It aims to balance gender equity in sports and accommodate the burgeoning demand for gymnastics in Gatineau.

The project aligns with ongoing discussions and plans to expand sports facilities city-wide, aiming to ensure that community needs are adequately met in all infrastructure development plans. The city of Gatineau remains committed to fostering a supportive environment for all athletes and ensuring equitable access to sports facilities.

Photo caption: Jean-Paul Caron, currently serving on the board and former Director General of Unigym between 2018 and 2022, is enthusiastic about the City of Gatineau's announcement to construct a new 20,000-square-foot gymnastics facility in the western sector, north of Pink Road.

Photo credit: From the November 8, 2017 edition of the Aylmer Bulletin, "New DG at Unigym Gatineau."