A long-running gymnastics program in St. Andrews, Man. is at risk of ending because of a storage snafu between the club and the Lord Selkirk School Division.

The St. Andrews Gymnastics Club has operated rent-free out of St. Andrews School for about 44 years. This year, approximately 153 children, some as young as two years old, are taking classes with the club, said co-manager Brenda Funk. An additional 20 are on the wait list.

But the school announced this summer it no longer has room to accommodate the popular program.

"The school is growing, and every bit of space is needed," said Jean Oliver, chair of the Lord Selkirk School Division.

St. Andrews Gymnastics Club uses the school's stage and part of the girls' change room to store gym equipment including vinyl safety mats, uneven bars, a balance beam, a vault and trampolines.

"We're kind of stuck," said Funk, adding the club will have to find another place to store their stuff as of July 2016.

Pre-competitive and competitive girls stretching their bridges in warm up. The St. Andrews Gymnastics Club is at risk of closure because the school can no longer store their equipment. (St. Andrews Gymnastics Club) "I recognize the value of the club … it's a value to children in the form of exercise and good health but … when our space is being compromised we have to do something about it," Oliver said.

The news is devastating to organizers of the club, many of whom have deep personal ties to the program.

"Last summer was the worst summer of my life," said Funk, who has helped co-manage the club for 28 years. Every other option for storing equipment seems out of reach, she added.

Vinyl and hard plastic needs to be stored in a heated facility, Funk explained, so the school's initial suggestion of building a shed is problematic.

The next best option, building an addition onto the gym, is too expensive; the club was quoted $150,000 for the renovation.

A school board member suggested the club raise fees to cover the cost but that option is out of the question for Funk.

"There's some families that just can't afford … to pay an outrageous amount of money," Funk said. "That's not what we're about."

The club charges $550 for the year-long competitive program compared to other nearby programs that charge $800 to $900, according to St. Andrews coach Lacie Liebrecht.

Fees go towards honorariums for 10 coaches and new equipment costs.

All other options explored: manager

Oliver suggested the club seek out a new location for their club.

"Right next door to the school is the St. Andrews Community Club. I don't know whether they've talked to them at all," Oliver said.

That space, like many nearby buildings and halls, has ceilings too low for gymnastics.

"We looked at different halls. I've gone down dirt roads looking for old barns … there's nothing," said Funk.

At St. Andrews School, the club installed brackets beneath the floor years ago to secure uneven bars, said Funk. No other facility is willing to let the club do that, which could compromise safety.

Oliver hopes a compromise can be made but isn't willing to pay for equipment storage.

"Can I justify as a trustee putting out $150,000, plus ongoing costs of heating, to build a storage space for a gymnastics club? I would have a hard time justifying that to the taxpayers," she said.

The St. Andrews Gymnatics Club has set up a Go Fund Me page to try to save the club, their fundraising goal is $25,000.