Caledonia Argus

New gymnastics business to open in Caledonia

Posted: 1/20/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

Something for everybody.

That might sum up the philosophy of Nora Schultz, and her new private gymnastics business in Caledonia.

Tumble Fun Caledonia will open in the gymnasium of the former Caledonia Elementary School building on Monday, January 26 if all goes as scheduled.

The school building is owned by Mike Nanof and Dawn Twaiton-Nanof, who bought it last week from Keith Comstock and Joe Welch.

Mike Nanof owns At the Matinee Gymnastics Center in La Crosse, and is helping Schultz set up a similar business here. She will be the owner-operator.

Schultz lives in Caledonia with her husband Tom, who is pastor of St. Johnís Lutheran Church, and their children T.J, seven; Erin, six; and Casey, 18 months.

Tumble Fun Caledonia will offer three different gymnastics programs for different ages and levels.

One part of Schultzís business is called Fitness In Motion, which she described as gymnastics based fitness for ages 18 months to five years. It will have obstacle courses, a lower balance bean, miniature climbing walls, and games. ìAnd then theyíll learn gymnastics moves like frontward and backward rolls and bridges,î Schultz said. It is aimed at strengthening and having fun.

There is also Fitness In Motion Extreme, for ages 6-14. Itís a more relaxed approach to gym-based fitness, Schultz said. Members will have a punch card and can attend eight times a month or every day if they choose that option.

A third option that Schultz will offer is called Tumble Fun. Schultz and her helpers will have classes for four groups; beginning (ages five and up); pre-team; team; and advanced team. The last three can be competition based, if the parents want that.

It will have a birthday room too, where parents can bring kids for a two-hour birthday party, with a gym at their disposal for fun. She will try to market it to groups like daycare providers and Girl Scouts too.

ìWeíre trying to incorporate everybody into it.î Schultz said. She wants to meet after-school needs of kids. ìThey can spend some time doing a physical activity,î Schultz said.

The gym is filing up with regulation-size equipment like four beams, a couple of uneven bars, and a vault. Fitness in Motion has smaller equipment like bars, rings, parallel bars, a bounding house with a trampoline, and a low beam.

The floor has been covered with a springboard floor and a foam pad.

Tumble Fun Caledonia will be staffed at first by Schultz and Mike Nanofís staff from La Crosse. They will help train local workers.

Schultz hopes to tap into the local gymnastics program. She thinks it will enhance the high school program by giving kids a chance to start at a younger age without having to drive to La Crosse. Kids should be able to walk right onto a high school team and do well after taking gymnastics at Tumble Fun Caledonia, she feels.

Schultz had a mini-registration in December and about 30 people signed up. Sheíll be doing another registration this Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the school. Sheís amazed at how worked about it is spreading.

In the meantime she and some helpers have been busy moving in equipment and sprucing up the old gym.

Schultz said she is excited and nervous. ìIt has the potential to be very fun,î she said. ìI hope people will check it out at least.î She likes the location, which close to the present elementary school. Kids will be able to walk right over after school is out. ìWe have a class that starts right at 3:30,î Schultz said.

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