'Mr. Dan' closing gymnastics doors
Steamboat Gymnastics Center owner given one week to leave
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Steamboat Springs — The Steamboat Gymnastics Center is closing after 12 years.
Owner and operator Dan Atkins was evicted Monday for unpaid rent. He was given seven days to move out of the building on Eighth Street.
The Steamboat Springs School District owns the building and presented Atkins with his eviction notice.
"Next week, there is no more gymnastics," Atkins said. "I'm trying to avoid 300 people showing up and finding the doors locked."
After unsuccessfully searching for an affordable location to move the Steamboat Gymnastics Center, Atkins decided to close the center and move to Florida. He had hoped the district would allow him to keep the doors open until the end of March.
Atkins knew he was going to have to move locations because the district will be relocating Soda Creek Elementary to the Seventh and Eighth streets sites while a new school is built.
Superintendent Donna Howell said there were two reasons for Atkins' eviction. The first was that Atkins had not paid rent, which Atkins confirmed. The second related to the relocation of Soda Creek.
"That space has to be renovated," Howell said. "I don't know the timeline, but that will need to be a gymnasium and cafeteria before school starts in August."
Atkins originally moved to Steamboat in 1977 but left for 10 years before returning in 1995.
"The fun times with the kids has been so enriching for my life," Atkins said.
Atkins said the inability to find an affordable location for a private center was disheartening.
"In reality, the Soda Creek decision was the nail in the coffin, but it wasn't why," Atkins said.
Atkins will be holding an equipment sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Steamboat Gymnastics Center, but he will not be open for instruction this weekend.
On Sunday, he will need to move all the equipment that did not sell into pickup trucks, so anyone interested in helping Atkins move Sunday can contact him at 879-1624.
Mike Smith, former coach at Steamboat Gymnastics Center, is opening a center called Excel Gymnastics of Steamboat at Riverside Plaza. The center likely will open within the next two weeks, he said.
- To reach Melinda Mawdsley call 871-4208 or e-mail mmawdsley@steamboatpilot.com
Comments
snowysteamboat 6 years, 2 months ago
How about a refund. Alot of us have paid for many more weeks already.
id04sp 6 years, 2 months ago
If he could pay his rent, he could probably provide a refund.
Don't hold your breath. Businesses fail in spite of the best efforts of the owners, but unfortunately, sometimes that also impacts both customers and suppliers who have advanced fees or goods to the business. It's just one of those risks you take as part of life if your life requires gymnastics, I guess.
agentofchange 6 years, 2 months ago
Top Story? This paper has no shame! OK, so the Business failed. Why drag anyone thru the mud? Top Story?! These folks are having $$ problems... OK, why not try some real news TODAY, like why hasen't the PILOT/TODAY told us which Towing Company killed Amy Flint. Curious. Very Interesting, but stupid. Call Aunt Bee, I think we just crossed over in "The Mayberry Zone".
corduroy 6 years, 2 months ago
somehow I'm strangely reminded of Screaming Internet...
ColoradoKaneco 6 years, 2 months ago
Replying to Refund Blog :: You want a refund? I am sure you are the parent or participant that headed up the fundraiser for the business to stay open............... nah...... ya didn't .............. just an afterthought!
vic 6 years, 2 months ago
Really a shame - I like Mr Dan and I think he does great work with the kids. Definitely a loss for Steamboat.
DR 6 years, 2 months ago
Mr. Dan....Good luck. You will be missed. I guess I'll have to buy stamps to stamp my kids feet now. My daughter (age 3)will be disappointed....she really loved Mr. Dan. Thanks for hanging in there for 12 years. Good luck with the next chapter of your life.
sbspowderhound 6 years, 2 months ago
Our family will miss you Dan. Ignore the negative idiots, and know that you had a positive impact on MANY kids here in the Yampa Valley...my daughter included.
tropicalmonster 6 years, 2 months ago
he is promoting health in young kids, too bad he didnt get finantial support to keep the center, definitely a loss for people in Steamboat!
Paula Salky 6 years, 2 months ago
Steamboat Gymnastics was one of the reasons why we chose to move to Steamboat. Mr. Dan is wonderful with children and he will be missed! Thank you Dan for being such an amazing man and friend. We will miss you. Paula, Randy, Miranda and Reina Salky
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