This weekend, five kids who train at the Brantford Gymnastics Academy will head to Belleville to try and win spots on a team representing all of Ontario.
It’s a big event which requires focus, dedication and a daily training ritual – all of which have been much more difficult than usual this week for the young gymnasts.
On Monday, fire broke out at the Park Road North gymnasium owned by the academy.
While the building is still standing, owner Iudita Brumaru says it is “not safe at all” and the equipment inside was destroyed by the fire.
“We need to solve all these problems. There’s no time for tears,” she said Thursday.
Brumaru is searching for a temporary home for the academy, and hopes to have something finalized by the end of next week.
In the meantime, other gyms have offered up their space and equipment to help the Brantford gymnasts keep up their training.
“In all this darkness, it helps a little bit,” Brumary said. “You cannot compete unless you constantly train.”
Although the fire officially still remains under investigation, fire officials say they have no reason to consider it suspicious. Brumaru says she’s been told that its cause was likely electrical.
Damage from the fire, including the value of the equipment inside the building, is estimated at $1.2 million.
With reporting by Alexandra Pinto