Facility and History

Feel free to email or call us to set-up a time to check out the facility, or stop in during class time to catch us in action.

 

“Mr. Dave” Evasew began coaching with the Upper Merion Park & Recreation (“UMPR”) gymnastics program in the summer of 1991.  In Fall 1993, he was promoted to the director of the program which consisted of a staff of 6 and 43 enrolled students.  Gymnastics increased in size each year, ultimately becoming the department's second largest program with over 275 registrants per session and many more on the waitlists.  Similarly, "Ms. Michelle" Elbin became director of the UMPR dance program in the Winter of 2001.  Starting with only 25 students, Michelle nurtured the program to over 144 students.  As the dance and gymnastics programs continued to grow and the talent level of the students increased, Michelle and Dave began planning a private dance and gymnastics center in King of Prussia.  With the assistance of numerous staff and parents from the UMPR gymnastics program, UMDGC opened on June 14, 2004, with 7,500 sq ft of gym space and 1 studio.  In January of 2007, UMDGC expanded to it’s current size of 15,000 sq ft, with 2 studios and 10,000 sq ft of gymnastics space, in order to better accommodate the needs of our participants. 

Today, UMDGC serves over 1,000 participants per week, offering unique programs 51-weeks per year.  Both the dance and gymnastics program provide numerous unique experiences. The dance program has performed at a Sixers game and numerous local events including community fairs, festivals, and charity events such as Dancers for Dimes and the Upper Merion Police Association Fundraiser.  The gymnastics program provides instruction to several community groups and local schools, and its athletes have won distinction at sectional, state, regional, and national competitions.  As UMDGC continues to expand, the staff hopes to continue spreading the love of motion, personal growth, and respect for the family that has set it apart from other dance and gymnastics centers.

 

Studio 1

UMDGC's Studio 1  is a 950 s.f. with full-length mirrors, wall-mounted and movable ballet barres, sprung floor from StageStep (located in Philadelphia), and variable-speed cd player.  Studio 1 will be used primarily for ballet and preschool classes.  It was UMDGC's original dance studio.

 

 
Studio1_view1
 
 
Studio1_View2
 
 
 

 

Studio 2

UMDGC's Studio 2  opened in June 2007.  It is a 750 s.f. with full-length mirrors and sprung floor from StageStep.  Studio 2 will be used primarily for tap because of the better sound-quality.

 
Studio2_view1
 
 
Studio2_view2
 
 
 

Gym 1 is 7,500 s.f. and was the original gymnastics workout area. Classes and camps all start off in this gym as it houses the floors and trampolines for warm-ups. It also houses gymnastics most difficult events (beam and pommel horse), as well as the vault. Cheerleaders will love the trampolines, airtrak, and tumbltrak.

 

  Gym 1 Observation 2
 
Gym1Observe
  AirTrak
 View of Gym 1 from observation area
Another view of Gym 1 from observation area
 Airtrak
20' long airtrak
  Beams
  Mushrooms and Low Beams
  Floor
 Balance Beams
3 high beams, 2 medium beam,, and 3 "baby" beams
 Balance Beams and Mushrooms
2 low beams
 Floor
Spring floor with AirFloor
  Foam Tumbling Strip
TumblingStrip 
Trampolines 
Foam Tumbling Strip
Cheerleading floor for tumbling and drills on vault, beam, and pommel horse
Spring Tumbling Strip (56' x 12')
Can be combined with floor for a 54'x42' cheerleading floor or 4 54'x10' tumbling strips
 Trampolines
2 tramps, including a string bed
  TumblTrak
 Pommels
 
Vault
 TumblTrak
TumblTrak with off-tramp vaulting station
onto level 4 vault system
Pommel Horse & Mushroom
 1 competition pommel horses, 1 loop horse,
1 horse for single-leg work, 2 mushrooms,
1 floor mushroom, 2 ultra-dome mushrooms
(1 with single pommel),
bucket and floor horses and
TiVo viewing station for vault, beam, and pommels
Vault
Vault table with 80' runway
& level 4 mat system

The 3,060 s.f. Gym 2 opened in April 2007.  As it's nickname ("Chalk Gym") implies, it houses the chalkest events in the sport.   Gym 2 is equipped with equipment for gymnasts of every age and ability.  Overhead spotting rigs provide the opportunity to learn new skills with a reduced risk of injury.

 

 
View_of_Gym2_from_viewing_area
 
Uneven_bars
 High_bar
 View of Gym 2 from the observation area
 Bars
3 sets of uneven bars
 High Bar
 Single_bar
 Parallel_bars
 Parallel_bars_training_areas
 High Bar
Single bar trainer (w/ girls rail,
high bar rail, and strap bar rail)
and baby bar for younger gymnasts
 Parallel Bars
2 sets of p-bars, set of p-bar blocks
 Parallel Bars
Small set of p-bars for the younger gymnasts
 
 Rings
 
 
 Rings
Ring frame and 3 sets of lower rings
 

Non-participants have the opportunity to observe the dancers and gymnasts at any time.  In addition, those waiting may watch television, work on homework, or relax with the children's books and current magazines. 

 Gym1_observation_area
 Gym2_observation_area
 Studio1_observation_area
 Gym 1 observation area
Gym 2 observation area
Studio 1 observation area
 Studio2_observation_area
 Party_room_view1
 Party_room_view2
 Studio 2 observation area
Meeting/team room view 1
Meeting/team room view 2
 
 Waiting_room
 
 
Lobby