The Meapa Gymnastics Centre, Olympic Tra...

Gymnastics: Artistic

The Meapa Gymnastics Centre is located in north Kent, approximately 24km from the London 2012 venue for Gymnastics in Greenwich.

There are good road links to Greenwich from the Centre on the A2, which takes approximately 35 minutes by car; the train service takes about 40 minutes. The new international Ebbsfleet station is located five minutes away, with a journey time of approximately 15 minutes to the Olympic Village in Stratford.

The gymnasium is currently set up to Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) requirements. Due to the increasing membership it is our intention to extend our facility prior to the London 2012 Games. The extension will provide additional equipment and facilities that will enhance the preparation of any national team in the final stages of their preparation for the competition.

The equipment will include:

- Two sprung floor areas
- Two vault runs with soft and competition landings
- Five beams with an area for competition and training dismounts
- Three asymmetric bars
- High bar
- One set of competition standard rings,
- One set of parallel bars with different training aids
- One pommel horse with numerous mushrooms and training aids
- One full-size sunken trampoline with designated dismount into a foam pit
- One carbon tumbling track with landing into pit area
- A designated conditioning area, including weight and strengthening equipment and wall bars
- Mirrors and ballet bars to perimeter walls

The Centre provides full access for people with disabilities including ramped access, disabled toilet facilities and lift provision to all levels. The accommodation comprises of a secure main entrance with CCTV coverage and a manned reception with waiting area/lounge. Male and female changing rooms with associated WC facilities are provided.

The first-floor area provides a cafe area and a viewing gallery over the gym hall, two management offices and a large meeting room, together with a multi-purpose dance studio/rest area and ancillary stores.

A secure, fully-lit, gated car park adjoins the facility providing a dropping-off point for minibuses and other vehicles. Arrangements can be made to utilise adjoining green fields for running and external training if required.

Video and playback facilities can be made available by special request.

The management welcomes any interested parties for a pre-visit prior to finalising any training plans.

Hosting experience
The Meapa Gymnastics Centre hopes to host the Ukrainian national junior gymnastics woman's artistic team for training sessions prior to the international Rose Bowl competition in Aldershot in November 2008.

Negotiations are also underway with the Ukrainian national squad to use the facilities prior to the World Championships in London in 2009.

Sport facility specifications
Olympic sports
Gymnastics - artistic
Gymnasium Hall
Clear height: 5.6m
Gymnasium Hall Area: 1176m²
Maximum lighting level: 50lux
Number of A Bars: 3
Number of beams: 5
Number of high bars: 1
Number of parallel bars: 1
Number of pommel horses: 1
Number of ring frames: 1
Number of vaults: 2
Temperature Controlled Environment: Yes