40-year-old Oxfordshire gymnastics club at risk of closure due to heat

The club is currently struggling in the summer heat, and has launched a new fundraiser to keep its gymnasts safe.

The club, which is based at Grove House Barn near Warkworth in Banbury, launched the fundraiser so it could buy and install four air conditioning units to keep its space cool.

Currently, the club hopes to raise £7,000 through the appeal so it can buy four 10kW air conditioning units and cover all the installation costs.

So far, the club has raised £380.

Karl Wade, director of Wade Gymnastics, said the club has become “increasingly warm” during the summer months due to the rising temperatures.

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Wade Gymnastics at Grove House Barn in Banbury (Image: Google Maps)

“Despite our best efforts to keep doorways and shutters open, it becomes very uncomfortable for gymnasts to play and train,” Mr Wade said.

He added: “The safety of our gymnasts and coaches is always our utmost priority.

“Unfortunately, the risk of having to close the business during these hot spells is increasing and we need to have more effective ways of keeping everyone cool.

“An air conditioning system would allow the business to stay open during those extreme hot conditions and continue to provide classes for everyone who attends.”

The gym currently delivers classes seven days a week for around 900 people, which range from toddlers to athletes competing at national level.

The gym club was founded more than four decades ago by Ruth Wade and, for the past 20 years it has been based at its current facility.