Why is gymnastics not moving into Anderson Arena?

[BGSU33]

Does anyone know the answer to this question? I first heard that would be one of the uses for Anderson Arena, then heard it will not be done. Anyone know why not? Does this mean gymnastics is now also moving to the Stroh Center along with basketball and volleyball? I was really hoping gymnastics could make AA its home. I am excited about the new Stroh Center, but I hope we can keep AA around for something.

[transfer2BGSU]

Gymnastics will be practicing in Eppler (as it does now). Then the home meets will be in the Stroh Center.

It was my understanding that it would cost to much to renovate the floor of Anderson Arena. Matt might be able to better state what renovations they would have needed, but the cost was too much. Besides, now the ladies will have an awesome venue to showcase to prospective student-athletes as well.

If you've never been to a gymnastics meet, I would highly encourage you to come out in the spring and support the ladies. I'll post a schedule once it is up.

[VDub26Falcon]

The Floor is WAAAAAAAY too hard. Just ask DD!

[BGDrew]

So if gymnastics will not be using Anderson then is there really a need for Memorial Hall anymore? I understand that the ROTC program is based there but it would seem they could be moved if they're the only tenant left.

[transfer2BGSU]

We still use the old gym in Eppler for phys ed classes.

Might we move some of the physical education classes into Anderson Arena?

[BGSU33]

It was my understanding that it would cost to much to renovate the floor of Anderson Arena. Matt might be able to better state what renovations they would have needed, but the cost was too much.

Thanls for the info. What exactly would need to be done to the floor at Anderson Arena that the Stroh Center will have?

[VDub26Falcon]

Anderson has a permanent floor...Stroh's will be removable. They would have to do quite a bit to turn Anderson into a removable floor. They would have to rip up the current floor, purchase a removable one which includes some kind of shock absorber that gives the floor some "give." Have you ever walked on the court at the Q? It would be a lot like that. You would have to step up to get from the permanent floor to the removable one. They actually raised the floor of the Q recently so the sightlines were better.

[VDub26Falcon]

Anderson has a permanent floor...Stroh's will be removable. They would have to do quite a bit to turn Anderson into a removable floor. They would have to rip up the current floor, purchase a removable one which includes some kind of shock absorber that gives the floor some "give." Have you ever walked on the court at the Q? It would be a lot like that. You would have to step up to get from the permanent floor to the removable one. They actually raised the floor of the Q recently so the sightlines were better.

[factman]

Why do you have to have a removable floor? We have had the MAC chamionships in Anderson, so I do not understand the "removable floor comment.

[transfer2BGSU]

For the MAC championships, the team practices in the arena once or twice before the event and the portable equipment is fine.

The uneven bars and I believe the balance beam would need to have some work done in the vicinity they were to be placed in if they were going to be permanent structures in AA.

A removable floor is not required.

[factman]

Thanks for the information........straght from Mary Lou Retton's dad!!

[It's the Journey...]

Here is my take on this. I do want to say right up front that while I have a lot of information, I am not an expert on all things BG Gymnastics in any way. That being said, here we go.

As with any sport, gymnastics requires some specialized equipment to aid in training and practice. Unlike most other sports, for that equipment to be effective it cannot be temporary. Think about basketball. There is equipment that helps direct the ball back after a shot is made which saves time and allows for more instruction. In football there are various blocking pads that are used. In gymnastics you need foam pits. Ideally they are built into the floor and allow the full length of a vault runway to expand from it. Or a set of uneven parallel bars to be set up above it. The reason is to allow the gymnasts to practice new skills without fear of falling and causing serious injury until the skill is mastered. A pit is also necessary for new skills on the balance beam.

Now let's look at Anderson Arena. The fact that the floor is permanent has been brought up a few times. That fact is actually irrelevant. We have held MAC Championships and other meets in the Arena many times and it is a great venue for competition but will require a lot of work to become an acceptable practice space. To add these necessary pits the floor in Anderson will have to be cut our in various place to allow construction. Those pits will need to be reinforced and made to be covered so the space can transition easily from competition to practice. That is a VERY expensive task for a 50 year old building. The sound system will also need to be modified to allow the floor music to be focused on the floor as well as into the seats so the athletes can hear their floor music. Finally, a scoreboard that can adequately display gymnastics scores for up to 4 teams would have to be purchased. There is NO WAY the existing board in Anderson can be upgraded for this task. Now add to that ADA, roof, air handling, general maintenance (which is years overdue), lighting to that list and it just isn't fiscally feasible or responsible to move the team to Anderson Arena.

So, gymnastics will be holding competition in the Stroh Center where the scoreboard can show scores, the sound system can be used, and there is locker room space (which I didn't even begin to get to how bad it is in Anderson) to support holding meets with 7 teams. While it would have been nice to have had Anderson Arena all to ourselves this shows the commitment to the program the department is making. This is a sport that will compete for championships and is not just a Title IX placeholder.

Now that the competitive venue is settled a practice venue is still needed. Currently the team practices in the Eppler Center gym. It is a HORRIBLE place to be. The locker room does not have running water, the team cannot practice vault as much as needed because the half the gym is used by classes, and not mention HMLS has been trying to kick the team out for the last 10 years or so. So, in the very near future, fund raising will begin to build a practice facility for BGSU gymnastics. Timing just wasn't on our side for a variety of reasons so practice space in the Stroh Center was not build in. But I am confidant the team will have a practice facility close. In my world it is actually build right behind and somehow attached so the team can use one locker room for practice and competition. I would like to see gymnastics and Army/Air Force ROTC work together and build a facility they can both use because I believe Anderson Arena's time is running out.

But hopefully that explained some things.