Black Diamond Gymnastics and Sports Center owner Katy Heddens is all about one-stop shopping.
Maybe that is why she recently moved her gym from Silver Summit to a new space next to the Redstone Shopping Center.
Besides comprehensive gymnastic, trampling and tumbling programs, Heddens has always kept the “sports center” component on her business title so that she could slowly add recreational opportunities that would make the facility more full-service and family friendly.
The new building houses a climbing wall that opens this week. Heddens plans to offer bouldering classes to learn the basics of rock climbing as well as “open climb” times for more experienced climbers. According to Heddens the wall is the first large-scale indoor model in Park City and should nicely complement the smaller version at the National Ability Center.
“I have a lot of people that wanted to climb year round,” Heddens said. “It seemed like the perfect fit.”
Another unique offering starting at the center in March is the circus arts program. The first of its kind in Utah, the program will allow children and adults to learn the skills involved with doing complicated circus tricks and aerial stunts using props, such as stilts and a Spanish whip, which is a ring that allows for poses and spins.
The fact that the climbing wall and the circus arts program are both available to adults is important to Heddens. She is committed to making her center welcoming to entire families, but insurance constraints limit her from extending the gymnastics-focused classes to adults. As the center continues to grow, Heddens expects adults to have more options.
Heddens has also teamed with Educational Advantage preschool, housing the learning center in their building. The partnership will allow for preschool ages children to develop strong academic and physical fitness skills in early childhood. This is a dream for Heddens, who wants to help kids develop in all aspects.
“It’s the building of confidence and their physical, social and academic skills that will build well-rounded adults,” Heddens said.
The center offers a number of recreational and educational camps that focus on gymnastics training, taking field trips or other themes.
The center is continuing its relationship with the U.S. Ski Team, allowing aerialists to work on their twists and flips at the facility. Heddens also has a “Big Air” class for young freestylists who want to improve their in-air moves.
Black Diamond also has a cheerleading development program.
This past weekend, Black Diamond hosted its second annual Winter Classic at the Basin Recreation Field House, a regional youth gymnastics meet that brought more than 300 athletes and 38 teams from all over. Heddens says that 50 more people attended compared to last year’s meet and she expects the event to grow each year.
“It went very well,” Heddens said. “It was definitely a success and we’re ready to go for next year.”
But Heddens is concerned more about developing good people than winning gymnastics meet. The center mission is based on creating well-balanced athletes, but Heddens sees the newly enhanced center being about much more than that.
“It’s where balanced people begin,” Heddens said.
Free demonstration classes for the circus program will take place this week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening. To register, call the center at 615-1800 or toll free at 1 (866)FLIP4FUN.
The newly relocated Black Diamond Gymnastics and Sports Center is located at 6400 N. Hwy 224 Suite D in Kimball Junction. For more information about any of Black Diamond’s programs, visit www.blackdiamondgym.com .