We Are Salta
Founded in 1979 as the Vincent Massey Gymnastics Club, SALTA Gymnastics Club began as a recreational program created by founder Dick Brooks, with coaching support from Pat McRoberts. When a competitive program was introduced in 1980, the club began seeking a new location, as limited access to the school and the daily setup and takedown of equipment had become increasingly challenging. That same year, SALTA was incorporated under the Societies Act of the Province of Alberta as a not-for-profit organization.
On July 1, 1988, a portion of the former Racquet Time building was purchased from Stober Consolidated, marking a new chapter for the club. The Vincent Massey Gymnastics Club officially adopted its new name: SALTA (Southern Alberta) Gymnastics Club.
By 1995, SALTA had grown substantially, prompting the need for renovations. With funding obtained through the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP), work began to expand and modernize the space. A dedicated group of volunteers contributed 1,154 hours of labour, tearing down the walls of two former racquetball courts to create one large gymnasium. An above-ground pit was also constructed in another racquetball court to provide safe training areas for vault, bars, and floor exercises.
Fast forward to 2000, SALTA was operating at full capacity, and the Board of Directors began exploring options for either a new facility or an expansion of the existing one. On December 6, 2001, a motion was passed to form a Building Committee. Over the following year, the committee worked closely with the City of Medicine Hat, successfully securing an interest-free loan. Additional funding came through a Community Initiatives Program (CIP) grant and two CFEP grants.
With the majority of funding in place, SALTA purchased the adjacent bays next door. During the summer of 2004, a contractor was hired to expand the gym by 4,400 square feet, bringing the total training space to 8,000 square feet.
The expanded gym featured a state-of-the-art in-ground pit and relocated trampolines integrated into the main gym, resolving previous equipment overlap issues.
Today, SALTA Gymnastics Club proudly stands as one of the premier gymnastics training facilities in Southern Alberta, continuing its legacy of growth, safety, and excellence.