Arlington proposing to close county gymnastics program

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has tried to enroll a child in the gymnastics through the county several times and never once been successful (for four children), I have questioned why county resources are spent on something that seems like is primarily available for people with connections and then a handful of people who are extremely lucky on registration day. If the county can't provide a resource to a significant amount of residents who want to participate in the program, it seems reasonable to reallocate the resources used for that program to another use that can be available to a greater number of residents. I know very little about the program since I have literally never been able to enroll a child, but it has always felt more like a private club than an actual county program that is accessible to everyone.

Of course it’s like this. Probably some solid cross over with the Nottingham and don’t move me from Hamm screamers too.

The way things get decided in this county is super gross. Wake me when everything is restored and these people got what they wanted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Such a ridiculous cut. We don’t have a dog in this fight; my kids stopped doing gymnastics in preschool. However, the demand is there. Arlington P&R has gotten so adverse to charging for anything and always covering costs for any family that can’t come up with it themselves that they are bankrupting their programs. They now let people who need fee assistance to register first for summer camp, so they will literally fill the most popular, in-demand camps with kids that bring in no money before people who can pay the fees can even register. I’m all for helping all kids get access to these programs, but if it means they have to cut the programs entirely, where is the good in that?

This is not correct. The county only holds a few early registration classes for each camp, so they don’t really fill up.

This was the schedule this year:
Summer Camp registration follows the following staggered schedule (all registrations begin at 12 p.m., noon):

Mon., Feb. 2 - Tue., Feb. 10 (at 5 p.m.):
Early registration for campers enrolled in DPR's Fee Reduction Program (by phone at 703-228-4747 or in-person at Lubber Run Community Center only).
Wed., Feb. 11: Partner Camps
Wed., Feb. 18: Parks & Recreation Camps
Wed., Feb. 25: Out-of-County registration

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has tried to enroll a child in the gymnastics through the county several times and never once been successful (for four children), I have questioned why county resources are spent on something that seems like is primarily available for people with connections and then a handful of people who are extremely lucky on registration day. If the county can't provide a resource to a significant amount of residents who want to participate in the program, it seems reasonable to reallocate the resources used for that program to another use that can be available to a greater number of residents. I know very little about the program since I have literally never been able to enroll a child, but it has always felt more like a private club than an actual county program that is accessible to everyone.

Of course it’s like this. Probably some solid cross over with the Nottingham and don’t move me from Hamm screamers too.

The way things get decided in this county is super gross. Wake me when everything is restored and these people got what they wanted.

As a Nottingham family, I’ll just say that your take is overly simplistic. It’s not like we’re getting some ultra premium private school experience over here for free. We use the same planning factors as everyone else. Our kids would have to go somewhere else and crowd someone else’s school and their aftercare waitlists if it closed, since everyone seems to be allergic to rezoning to better allocate crowds across the county and we act like 50 is a barrier no man, car, or bus can cross (unless it’s on its way to ATS).

Without getting too off topic, I’ll just say that one of the key functions of local government here in America is to educate students. In this country, funding young elite gymnasts is not considered a key government function. When times are tough, the nice to haves have got to go. And considering the massive expense and how few children it serves, gymnastics is a tempting subject. I actually respect the budget people for starting with that and not proposing to cut yet even more rec programs or libraries to fund it.

I don’t think Arlington is ready for a conversation about 1/10th of the budget being dropped on housing supports. But that’s one we need to have too.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Parents will happily pay more, its a good program.

+1

+2

The gymanstics people and the swim people should pay for what the programs cost, including a share of the giant buildings dedicated to your sport that you use for free.

The buildings aren't being used for free as everyone pays fees. These buildings should be packed with toddler, preschool and little kid classes, as demand is through the roof. If Arlington wants to recover costs, they need to do their jobs and utilize the space. They should be hosting kid gymnastics birthday parties, open gym nights with babysitting, senior workout classes during the day, etc. We have the facility. Parks and Rec just need to do their jobs and fill it.

They are getting the space for free. At least for swimming, the county and APS charge outside groups rental fees. It makes up a huge portion of the costs for club swimmers. Many of whom I’m sure would be happy to swim for AAC if it didn’t fill up immediately.

That's the county model. Teams aren't paying the full cost of their field usage either given the value of land in Arlington. We can change the model, but it should be done across the board. In this case, there was never a proposal to change fees.

Acting like the fields are the same thing as a gym dedicated to gymnastics is not a winning argument. These fields are heavily used by the community and it’s not just kids and families it’s people of all ages playing pickle ball up soccer, volleyball etc.

Also the idea the county should turn into a birthday party facility to help pay for this??

Just say we can afford it and we will pay more taxes. Or say what you would cut instead.

We haven’t even seen the schools cuts yet.

Have you been in the Barcroft gym? It's packed with kids of all ages doing gymnastics. Every station has kids. It's no different than the fields.

Yes, my kids went to Barcroft when they were younger. I understand it is used. The point is yes that's serving a niche interest. Trying to make it sound like this is some widely used thing is just not the way to go in my opinion if you want to argue against the cut. The fields have adults using them regularly. They are big with the 20-something crowd. Go by Quincy Park on a warm evening. Volleyball all over and non-organized soccer being played. Older people doing yoga classes. People walk their dogs. Other people do live here. People with kids tend to think they are the only taxpayers in this County. We're not.

Every sport is a niche interest. You can't play soccer on a tennis court or basketball on a volleyball court. If there's demand to keep the space heavily utilized then the facility is justified. Fields aren't even close to fully utilized with many sitting empty got big chunks of time. The Barcroft gym is just as busy year-round as the busiest warm day at Quincy park.

We don't expect senior centers to have activities for all. Nor do we ask Arlington's nature centers to run programs for adults--those are almost entirely targeted at kids. Nor are playgrounds designed for all ages. That's never been an expectation that every resource has to be for all ages.

Um, volleyball is played on a basketball court and soccer on a tennis court is futsal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has tried to enroll a child in the gymnastics through the county several times and never once been successful (for four children), I have questioned why county resources are spent on something that seems like is primarily available for people with connections and then a handful of people who are extremely lucky on registration day. If the county can't provide a resource to a significant amount of residents who want to participate in the program, it seems reasonable to reallocate the resources used for that program to another use that can be available to a greater number of residents. I know very little about the program since I have literally never been able to enroll a child, but it has always felt more like a private club than an actual county program that is accessible to everyone.

Of course it’s like this. Probably some solid cross over with the Nottingham and don’t move me from Hamm screamers too.

The way things get decided in this county is super gross. Wake me when everything is restored and these people got what they wanted.

As a Nottingham family, I’ll just say that your take is overly simplistic. It’s not like we’re getting some ultra premium private school experience over here for free. We use the same planning factors as everyone else. Our kids would have to go somewhere else and crowd someone else’s school and their aftercare waitlists if it closed, since everyone seems to be allergic to rezoning to better allocate crowds across the county and we act like 50 is a barrier no man, car, or bus can cross (unless it’s on its way to ATS).

Without getting too off topic, I’ll just say that one of the key functions of local government here in America is to educate students. In this country, funding young elite gymnasts is not considered a key government function. When times are tough, the nice to haves have got to go. And considering the massive expense and how few children it serves, gymnastics is a tempting subject. I actually respect the budget people for starting with that and not proposing to cut yet even more rec programs or libraries to fund it.

I don’t think Arlington is ready for a conversation about 1/10th of the budget being dropped on housing supports. But that’s one we need to have too.

The gymnastics crowd won’t pay attention to any other cuts in the budget or have a moment of self-reflection of hey this is disappointing but I get it. They just want their own kids lives to be uninterrupted.

This boils down to if you have a county board built to endure community shrieking and I’m guessing this one is not but could be wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel for the competitive gymnasts. What other gyms are even close to there? Fairfax possibly but still a hike. Same with Chantilly Academy.

Most the good coaches left and went to Cardinal Gymnasts , Dynamic Gymastics (literally up the street) , YMCA gymnastics, Capital Gymnastics, Mega Gymnastis and for just tumbling there are many other options for little kids.

This is not true.

Cardinal and Capital are quite far for people who are practiing 20 hours a week. Capital has a very different philosophy towards coaching. Dynamic is very small and not as competitive. The Y doesn't even have a full facility and their athletes have to go to Capital to use their equipement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This cut is absolute insanity. This program is so good for our kids. And listening to the meeting yesterday, they want to cut this and library to increase some salaries, namely in the police force, and build up reserves. How about we fund what we need today and let the reserves just be. What good is tomorrow if we kill our property values and community by cutting these sorts of programs.

And I'll add to say that there are other programs in the area is a flat out falsehood. We have been at three other gyms in the area. They all have had MAJOR safe sport problems -- men treating young girls in a way that isn't okay. Coaches having relationships with gymnastics. Coaches using public body shaming on athletes. There are other programs on paper. But they are not all safe programs.

This 100%

[Anonymous]

A full fledged gymnastics program doesn't make sense.

You can provide tumbling and dance classes with far less equipment and much lower insurance costs, and that will be enough for like 95% of kids to get the exposure they need to a sport they might enjoy. The die hards can go pay for private instruction on all the apparatus (with the added risks of injury and the much higher facility costs due to the equipment and insurance requirements). There's no reason for a full scale gymnastics facility.

Focusing on sports with minimal equipment needs also makes it easier for the county to invest in coaching, clean and updated facilities, and fitness offerings that have broader social benefits. Gymnastics-obsessed kids are not some underserved demographic here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This cut is absolute insanity. This program is so good for our kids. And listening to the meeting yesterday, they want to cut this and library to increase some salaries, namely in the police force, and build up reserves. How about we fund what we need today and let the reserves just be. What good is tomorrow if we kill our property values and community by cutting these sorts of programs.

And I'll add to say that there are other programs in the area is a flat out falsehood. We have been at three other gyms in the area. They all have had MAJOR safe sport problems -- men treating young girls in a way that isn't okay. Coaches having relationships with gymnastics. Coaches using public body shaming on athletes. There are other programs on paper. But they are not all safe programs.

This 100%

Ok, but that doesn’t mean the Arlington County government needs to step in and fill the need. It’s not like we are talking about vital public service only a county government could provide.

I’m honestly not surprised there are no local programs. Who would want to pay 3x more when Arlington is offering a taxpayer subsidized option? If the market demands gymnastics and safe sport verified coaches, the market will fill the need.

I don’t even know if 3x is the right number. That’s what it is for private swim clubs vs AAC. Does anyone know how much these gymnastics programs cost the county?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This cut is absolute insanity. This program is so good for our kids. And listening to the meeting yesterday, they want to cut this and library to increase some salaries, namely in the police force, and build up reserves. How about we fund what we need today and let the reserves just be. What good is tomorrow if we kill our property values and community by cutting these sorts of programs.

And I'll add to say that there are other programs in the area is a flat out falsehood. We have been at three other gyms in the area. They all have had MAJOR safe sport problems -- men treating young girls in a way that isn't okay. Coaches having relationships with gymnastics. Coaches using public body shaming on athletes. There are other programs on paper. But they are not all safe programs.

If true, this speaks to a fundamental problem with the sport and indicates that maybe the county shouldn't be investing so much money in it. When a sport has those kinds of issues with safety and coaching, you don't magically solve it by starting a county program. That program winds up drawing from the same pool of coaches, and the people involved in the county program often trained (or still coach) at other nearby gyms and are part of the same problematic culture.

And you haven't even touched on the problem of concussions and other injuries related to gymnastics.

[Anonymous]

I can appreciate the gymnastics people want this team, love this team, use this team, etc.

I still do not think the County should be paying for this or running a team at this level or ever should have been. How does the County get themselves into these things?

[Anonymous]

https://www.arlnow.com/2026/02/23/arlington-budget-proposes-tax-increase-closure-of-gymnastics-program-and-library/

Many of that team’s members compete year-round for the Arlington Aerials and learned of the planned cuts while competing at the state meet in Virginia Beach, according to a website created by advocates.

This is not the flex they think it is. The County is heavily subsidizing a gymanstics team and directly employing the coaches who go to a state meet in Virginia Beach? Huh? I think the County directly employs the coaches right? That's what it sounds like. Please correct if wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This cut is absolute insanity. This program is so good for our kids. And listening to the meeting yesterday, they want to cut this and library to increase some salaries, namely in the police force, and build up reserves. How about we fund what we need today and let the reserves just be. What good is tomorrow if we kill our property values and community by cutting these sorts of programs.

And I'll add to say that there are other programs in the area is a flat out falsehood. We have been at three other gyms in the area. They all have had MAJOR safe sport problems -- men treating young girls in a way that isn't okay. Coaches having relationships with gymnastics. Coaches using public body shaming on athletes. There are other programs on paper. But they are not all safe programs.

This 100%

Ok, but that doesn’t mean the Arlington County government needs to step in and fill the need. It’s not like we are talking about vital public service only a county government could provide.

I’m honestly not surprised there are no local programs. Who would want to pay 3x more when Arlington is offering a taxpayer subsidized option? If the market demands gymnastics and safe sport verified coaches, the market will fill the need.

I don’t even know if 3x is the right number. That’s what it is for private swim clubs vs AAC. Does anyone know how much these gymnastics programs cost the county?

DP. There is actually a dearth of gymnastics programs in the area generally, it's not just Arlington. But people need to ask themselves WHY this is.

Someone hit on it early in the thread -- gymnastics gyms that have the full range of apparatus and equipment have sky high insurance rates. That equipment also has to be responsibly and meticulously maintained. Also the equipment costs at a gym tend to spiral upwards. If you are offering a little tumbling program and maybe some low (on the floor) beams and a low kids-level bar, you can also use less expensive mats and dont' need things like a foam pit. You also don't need as much staff to spot because the equipment is all low to the grown and the tricks kids can do have a lower level of risk. Once you have high and uneven bars, a standard beam, and real vaulting equipment, you then need a ton of other equipment to try an make those apparatus as safe as possible (they will never actually be "safe"). You also need more and better staff to maintain that equipment, ensure equipment checks are being done regularly and correctly, and of course to spot kids on this equipment.

It's honestly not worth it for a county facility. It's actually not even really worth it for a private gym. Many gymnastics gyms struggle to be profitable, and the reason people are seeing safety issues at other gyms is because in order to try and make the profit model work, gyms will cut corners in ways that you shouldn't cut corners. That includes staffing levels, equipment, background checks for coaches, etc.

Gymnastics was popularized as a sport by Eastern bloc countries who sacrificed young women to the sport in government-paid programs in order to win Olympic medals. It's a fundamentally broken sport. I get it, it looks cool. But there's a reason it's hard to find good gymnastic gyms. The DMV also has the problem of expensive real estate, making the profit model even more dubious.

Just let your kids take tumbling and acro dance classes. Gymnastics isn't worth the costs. Not for the county, not for most private gyms, and not for most kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can appreciate the gymnastics people want this team, love this team, use this team, etc.

I still do not think the County should be paying for this or running a team at this level or ever should have been. How does the County get themselves into these things?

Honestly? It’s because we got to have them all for “free”. All the hotel and tourism activity and valuable office buildings given our proximity to DC gave us the funds to have nice things other localities could only dream of. Arlington never had to ask if each household wanted to chip in $20 or $50 or whatever it costs divided by about 120,000 to fund this program. But if they did, the majority would absolutely say no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.arlnow.com/2026/02/23/arlington-budget-proposes-tax-increase-closure-of-gymnastics-program-and-library/

Many of that team’s members compete year-round for the Arlington Aerials and learned of the planned cuts while competing at the state meet in Virginia Beach, according to a website created by advocates.

This is not the flex they think it is. The County is heavily subsidizing a gymanstics team and directly employing the coaches who go to a state meet in Virginia Beach? Huh? I think the County directly employs the coaches right? That's what it sounds like. Please correct if wrong.

The quote you pulled was referring to an APS high school gymnastics team (probably Yorktown but I haven’t read the article yet) competing at the VHSL gymnastics state meet. In this capacity, the coaches of Yorktown would be employed by APS but they could also be employed by Arlington parks and recreation to coach at Barcroft in a separate capacity for those programs (recreational classes and USA Gymnastics sanctioned competitive events).

I do not know if that is the case, btw. They might work for any number of other programs or just teach and coach high school gymnastics. A lot of high school gymnastics coaches work year round in USA Gymnastics programs.

Many gymnasts who are able to qualify for VHSL states also do gymnastics at other facilities year round. In the case of this quote, the facility for most of those team members was Barcroft.

Participation in VHSL events, VHSL coaching stipends would all be under APS budgeting for those items. In some counties, VHSL teams can practice at outside facilities, but is not a factor here.