Prospect Gymnastics At 1023 Church Avenue Celebrates Grand Opening With Two-Day Open House Beginning Tomorrow
Surrounded by brightly colored walls that she painted herself, neighbor Mina Marsow navigated around the boxes and tools inside Prospect Gymnastics (1023 Church Avenue) Monday evening and, for a brief second, paused and looked around the space that, just months ago, was a dream.
“I decided around December that I wanted to open up a gymnastics program because there’s nothing else here like this,” said Mina, who grew up in a Crown Heights home where her nonstop gymnastics routines drove her mom a little nuts – and resulted in more than a few broken vases. “I’d be in Lark and Qathra and Cafe Madeline and I’d be talking to all these parents. I asked if they’d go to a gymnastics place, and they were all saying yes. Then everything happened so fast.”
Not long after Mina, who has coached gymnastics for years, originally decided to open the space, she connected with the Church Avenue-based non-profit CAMBA, which helped her with her business plan and connected her with a business attorney. And, after looking at numerous places throughout the area, Mina, who has been running a gymnastics program out of Ezra Guitar (785 Coney Island Avenue) since last March, decided on the Church Avenue spot.
Then, earlier this month, Mina launched a kickstarter campaign – through which she raised about $12,000 – more than double the original goal of $5,000.
“This is an amazing place; we have space to do everything we want – birthday parties, a summer camp, there’s a big back yard,” said Mina, whose months of hard work will soon culminate with the opening of Prospect Gymnastics during a two-day open house that kicks off Friday morning and runs through Saturday.
The schedule for Friday’s open house is as follows:- 11 am: 3- and 4-year-olds
- 12:30pm: 5- to 7-year-olds
- 2pm: Parents and toddlers
- 3pm: Open play for children ages 5 and under
And for Saturday’s open house:
- 11am: 3- and 4-year-olds
- 12:30pm: 5- to 7-year-olds
- 2pm: 8- to 11-year-olds
- 3pm: Open play for children ages 5 and under
An RSVP is required for the open house, except for the open play session. To RSVP, please email Mina at mina@prospect-gymnastics.com or call (917) 733-2403.
At the 750-square-foot facility, there is a 15-foot trampoline, balance beams, bars, and rings. The children’s program ranges for individuals as young as 16 months old to high school students.
From Prospect Gymnastics’ website:
Prospect Gymnastics is about serious recreation: small classes, customized curriculum, and learning skills in a safe and fun setting. The curriculum focuses on movement, flexibility, strength training and coordination. The mission of Prospect Gymnastics is to promote happy, healthy living by having a quality gymnastics program that focuses on building mental, emotional and physical skills. The motto is “Build Skills, Gain Confidence, Have Fun.” Prospect Gymnastics will give the children in this area the opportunity to increase self-assurance through athletic success.
Mina, who launched her coaching career at Chelsea Piers in 2010, will serve as the program director, and Meaghan Ewchuk, a fellow Ditmas Parker, will also coach at the facility. Both Mina and Meaghan spoke of the role they’ve seen gymnastics play in children’s lives, from boosting self-esteem to, of course, providing exercise.
“Gymnastics is really challenging,” Mina said. “It’s terrifying standing on your hands or doing flips. I love being challenged, and it teaches kids to overcome their fears. It teaches them confidence.”
“I’ve had so many moms say, ‘Now my kids will run around and play on the playground,'” Mina continued. “It teaches you social skills, listening skills, agility. It prepares you for school and life.”
Prospect Gymnastics, which will be open six days a week, is located at 1023 Church Avenue. It can be reached by calling (917) 733-2403. For more information, visit Prospect Gymnastics’ website.