Coaching experience spots new gymnastics facility
A husband and wife team, active in the gymnastics field, opened a studio in Batavia last week.
Kevin Chope and Suzie Kinsman own and operate Prairie Gymnastics at 1241 N. Raddant Road. The center is designed to teach gymnastics to children starting at age 2 as well as house competitive gymnastics teams.
The 12,000-square-foot gym featuring state-of-the art equipment is located where Headin' For Home batting cages used to operate. The new facility features several in-ground training pieces including a tumbling track, trampoline and safety pits, Chope said. An oversize floor-exercise mat and Olympic apparatuses for boys and girls are available. A full selection of junior equipment is also found at the gym for younger gymnasts.
The owners used their experience working at a variety of other facilities when designing the gym.
Chope served as the head coach and program director at Midwest Academy of Gymnastics in Warrenville from 1987 until two years ago. His wife said he coached many state, regional and national champions. Chope was born in Great Britain and grew up in Kansas, where he was active in high school and college gymnastics. He holds a degree in education from the University of Illinois.
Kinsman has a degree in recreational management from Northeastern University. Growing up in Hinsdale, Kinsman has been a nationally ranked gymnast, a state gymnastics organizer and a choreographer.
Kinsman went to high school and then ran a gymnastics club in Coral Gables, Fla., for several years.
She then returned to the area and managed gymnastics programs at the Avondale Park in Chicago and Oak Park Gymnastics in Oak Park.
The couple met while coaching at various gymnastics competitions and married 11 years ago on a mountaintop in Vail, Colo., after a gymnastics conference.
"We both love the sport. Gymnastics is our life. That's what we do," Kinsman said. "We've both been coaching for a long time," she added.
In designing the program, Chope stressed that it was important that they make it a family-friendly facility that's part of the community. "It's like the old-time clubs that we used to go to," he said.
The staff is made up of adults who are all members of a professional gymnastics organization. Staff is safety-certified and their backgrounds are checked, Chope said.
"We love working with kids. We've spent a lifetime doing this," Chope said.
A grand opening celebration that's open to the public will take place Saturday; there will l also be a team demonstration at 5:15 p.m. and open gym for children starting at 5:30 p.m. The local band The Fallen will perform from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Registration for classes is taking place now. For more, call (630) 485-8648 or check out www.prairiegym.com.
Happy birthday: The Des Plaines Family Pet Clinic at 965 Rand Road in Des Plaines is celebrating its fifth anniversary.
The clinic has gained 2,500 clients since it opened.
To show customer appreciation, the clinic will hold an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Dr. Rajinder Kumar, owner and veterinarian of the clinic, offers a variety of services for pets, such as neuters, other surgeries and declawing. During the open house, a raffle will take place to give away a DVD player and gift cards to restaurants. Games for children and food will be provided. For more, call (847) 299-3800.
New attorney: The Gierach Law Firm of Naperville recently hired Jason Lundt, who will focus on business, tax and corporate law.
A business lawyer, Lundt has spent more than 12 years working in the business, tax and legal industries. He is a member of the Illinois Bar Association, the Missouri Bar Association and the Kansas Bar. The Gierach Law Firm is at 1776 Legacy Circle in Naperville.