Hundreds of young gymnasts are set to get a new home to practice their skills this summer.

It comes as DLJ Gymnastics Club is set to move into Victory Pier, in Gillingham, after more than a decade based at Strood Academy.

It was started by husband-and-wife team Danielle and Ian Wells-Gaston with just a handful of youngsters in 2007 through word of mouth.

They soon outgrew their small hall at the secondary school in Carnation Road and moved to a bigger premises within the building where they have been holding classes six days a week for more than 600 children.

Since November 2020, the couple had a dream to not only expand their business, but do so in a place of their own.

“We’ve been thinking about moving for quite some time now but with covid and lockdown, we put our plans on hold,” said Ian.

“There is so much we want to do with our club and support our community that we need a new space not only to develop as a club and our services but also to gain our independence with our own facilities.”

“Getting her own gym has been my wife’s dream since she was a little gymnast herself.”

Work at Victory Pier is already underway and is expected to be completed by the end of June at the latest.

The new permanent gym will be fully equipped, including a new sprung floor and a fast track alongside the existing range of full equipment.

It will also feature a waiting room for parents to use ensuring a welcoming and family feel to all gymnasts.

Ian said: “The new space is perfect for what the club needs.

“It offers that family atmosphere that is so important to us and beautiful surroundings. That way, families can enjoy a nice social space outside before or after our sessions.

“We wanted a safe and quieter area and sort of shy away from industrial estates or big warehouses as those are the sort of places that businesses like ours tend to go for.”

The couple, both aged 37, also share their passion for the sport with their four-year-old son Luca, who loves coming to the gym.

But as excited as Ian and Danielle are, they will miss the great memories of more than 10 years at Strood Academy.

“It’s sad to leave our home of more than a decade. It was great to see all our gymnasts grow from tiny little four-year-olds and watch their progress as they grew up,” Ian said.

“Unfortunately, we do understand and sort of expect to lose a few people as many of them are based in Gravesend, but this was a great opportunity for the development of the club and we could not miss it.

“We are very much looking forward to welcoming new members of the community into our club.”

Anyone interested in joining DLJ can do so on www.dljgym.com.

You can also email the team at theteam@dljgymnastics.com.