Star Gymnastics Training Center in Houston, Texas, abruptly closed today, giving athletes and members less than 48-hours notice of the gym’s closure.
According to Fox 26 Houston, Star Gymnastics and Training Center is one of the longest-running gymnastics gyms in the area. The facility trains youth athletes in both recreational and competitive gymnastics. Co-owners told Fox 26 Houston that the building’s landlord notified the organization that they would need to “vacate their lease because rent was past due.”
Gymnastics competition season begins in January, and Star Gymnastics Training Center’s closure has left many members scrambling to search for other coaches and organizations.
Some families have spent thousands of dollars on upcoming competitions and training schedules. One family in particular reported paying Star Gymnastics $3,000 for their daughter’s upcoming competition fees, and now they are worried they will not get that money back. "She works so hard for competition, and we don’t know what’s going to happen," they said.
Owners of Star Gymnastics have assured families they will be refunded, but some have obtained legal counsel, skeptical that the money will be returned.
"The owner of the facility is committing a breach of contract by taking the money, knowing that he was about to go out of business, and so he owes them the money back," said Fox 26 legal analyst Chris Tritico, adding that just because a judge could rule in their favor, they still may not recover the money if Star Gymnastics does not have the funds to repay them.
Shortly after Star Gymnastics Training Center announced its closure, nearby Woodlands Gymnastics Academy also closed its doors, further limiting athletes’ options.
