General News
7 May, 2025
Gymnastics club to shut down permanently after arson attack
There appears to be no pathway forward for the Leichhardt Gymnastics Club.
The Leichhardt Gymnastics Club is preparing to wind up for good after a devastating arson attack destroyed its clubhouse in February.
Club stalwart Trudy Adams said the committee was going through the difficult task of sorting through insurance claims as it began the process of shutting down the decades-old Mount Isa gymnastics association.
Among the tasks was ending the weekly bingo fundraiser that the club had hosted at the Irish Club for more than 13 years.
Ms Adams hosted the final bingo session on Saturday alongside her daughter Jacinta and a gathering of supporters.
“I just can’t see the point in raising money any longer for something we probably aren’t going to rebuild,” she explained.
“It is better off going to another not-for-profit that is thriving and can use the money.
“We have had many offers for help find a new club space but it’s not only the venue, it’s also how long it would take to get all the equipment we need.”
Pam Langtree, who organises the weekly bingo, said Ms Adams had dedicated countless hours to fundraising for the club, which had supported hundreds of local families.
“We are very sorry to see Trudy go in these circumstances,” she told North West Weekly.
Ms Adams has only returned to the site of the alleged arson twice since the clubhouse was engulfed on February 1.
The area remains fenced off due to asbestos concerns but Ms Adams said she was certain there was nothing salvageable among the debris. The three young people charged after the fire faced their last known court hearing in March, however court laws prevent the details of youth offenders from being published.
Ms Adams said Mount Isa Police had not kept her abreast of proceedings.
She said she was currently collecting quotes to remove and dump the remains of the structure, with some quotes as high as $250,000.
Ms Adams said not-for-profit rules stipulated that any remaining funds after an association has ended – including insurance payouts – must be dispensed to other non-profits.
“Every dollar we spend on the clean-up is a dollar we could be giving to help another not-for-profit,” she said.
“So we want to keep the costs as low as possible.”
When North West Weekly accompanied Ms Adams to the site for her third visit since the arson, the emotion on her face showed the toll the fire had taken on the club stalwart.
“I started coaching in this building in 1996,” she said.
“This used to be the St Joseph’s school hall before the mine bought the school grounds and this building was moved here for gymnastics.
“But it wasn’t just gymnastics for me; I had my grade seven graduation dance in this hall.
“That was in 1976.
“I’ve been told those who allegedly started the fire were filming it on their phones.
“I just don’t understand how anyone can feel proud of what they’ve done.”