Averting a scare
By Bill Althaus
The Examiner
There's a smile on coach Al Fong's face and a new bounce to his step.
That's because the foreclosure process that threatened to close the doors of the Great American Gymnastic Express (GAGE), at 1001 N.W. Jefferson in Blue Springs, has come to an end.
"It is all resolved," Fong said Wednesday, as he watched a group of preschoolers enjoy a carefree gymnastics session in the 25,000-square-foot facility.
"An investor - who wishes to remain anonymous - stepped forward and created a welcome end to a stressful situation."
The investor now owns the GAGE building, allowing Fong to lease the facility with the option of purchasing the building in the near future.
"I could bellyache about all my troubles, about all we have been through, but people aren't interested in that," said Fong, a former USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year who mentored two silver-medal gymnasts, Terin Humphrey and Courtney McCool, to the 2004 Olympic Summer Games in Athens along with his wife Armine.
"I had to deal with a very negative issue in my life. I felt like I was up front and I tried to answer every question. I want to thank The Examiner for giving me the opportunity to state my side of the case in a (previous) story.
"It attracted a lot of attention. Unfortunately for us, a lot of it was negative, but it was a negative time in our lives. We were able to get through it and now, we will be bigger and better than ever."
When word of the foreclosure began circulating throughout Eastern Jackson County, Fong made a promise.
"We're not going anywhere," Fong said.
"I said it then, and I will re-emphasize that statement today. I can make a promise that we will only get bigger and offer more things to the people of Eastern Jackson County."
Fong said he is traveling to area preschools, offering field trips to youngsters so they and their parents can check out his expanded preschool area.
"You can't allow a kid to walk to the store or ride a bike to the mall because of the fear that comes from child predators," Fong said. "There is now a fear of predators on the Internet, so in some ways, kids aren't even safe when they're sitting in their bedrooms and are on their computers.
"But we are going to offer something special to preschoolers - a right of passage, of sorts. Are we looking for a 3-year-old Terin Humphrey or Courtney McCool? Of course we are - and you can spot them right away. They are the youngsters who pick up something the first time and go for it. But we're looking for the youngsters whose parents want to give them that wonderful outlet to new sights and sounds and sensations.
"We have bright colors, the floors are padded, so they get that new sensation by walking on the floor. They can walk and run and climb and dive into a foam pit - and you can bet that they are experiencing sensations that they have never experienced before."
The energy surrounding Fong is crackling.
He's back in his element, and no longer has to worry about financial matters that kept him from his first love - coaching.
And that's good news to three area mothers whose children are enrolled in preschool classes.
"We have noticed a great deal of improvement in my boys' listening ability and physical ability since they have been enrolled in the classes," said Gayatri Swali, whose sons Sahil (4) and Ishan (2) are part of the GAGE preschool programs.
"You notice that their confidence is growing. They are allowed to do things at their own level and their own pace and I believe that is very important."
Elizabeth Hatch is holding her 17-month-old son Zack, who is chomping at the bit to join other preschoolers in class.
"He's come here since he was 13 months old," Hatch said. "At first, it was just so he could come with his (3-year-old) brother Nathan, but we have noticed so many thing with both boys. Zack has been walking since he was 9 months old, and he learned how to fall, and not get hurt.
"We had a party at Bump City and gave the boys a Christmas present of classes up here because they loved it so much."
Jessie Johnson's 3-year-old son Tyler is busy working with coaches while his mom sings the praises of the class.
"It gives them the chance to be with other kids, to exercise, to grow socially and they have fun," Johnson said. "You can't ask for much more than that."
While Fong is best known for working with elite gymnasts, GAGE also offers Dragonfly preschool gymnastics, FunTime Recreational Gymnastics for boys and girls, cheerleading and tumbling, the GAGE on Stage Performing Arts Academy, Sea Dragon Swim School (summer only, at this time), Bump City Kids Club, birthday parties and team building sessions for youth or corporate parties.
"When the foreclosure rumors were circulating, I had parents who wanted to just pay for a half a month of lessons and others who canceled birthday parties because they didn't think we were going to be around," Fong said.
"Believe me, we are not going anywhere. That is a promise I know I can keep."