TNT Gymnastics new facility open in Prairie du Chien
By Correne Martin
After 18 years of bouncing around to Prairie du Chien’s various gym spaces, TNT Gymnastics opened its own 8,200-square-foot pristine gym with the latest industry equipment at 1890 E. La Pointe St. on Feb. 25.
“It’s almost double the size we had,” remarked owner Tracy Troxel, comparing the new building to the business’ former space in a storage building next to Prairie Cinema. “We’ve already seen 25 additional members, including eight new boys. People are coming from other gyms. The kids currently taking classes have been able to improve so much more too. They’ve gained a lot more strength with the additional opportunities that have opened up.”
Troxel said she can hardly believe the number of groups like Girl Scouts, birthday parties, even adult/children ensembles who have started coming to the gym since it opened, or at least inquiring about TNT’s open gym hours. She said groups with special needs have been added to her customer base too.
“The colors, the warm entry room and the fact that we have a toddler room that’s quiet where they can do one-on-one activities, it’s very inviting to them,” Troxel explained.
The climbing wall, in-ground trampolines, climbing ropes, foam pit, obstacle course and toddler room additions, especially, have gleaned enormous amounts of attention in the public eye, she said.
“We haven’t even upped our rates,” she laughed. “I think it always comes down to coaching but people want to know about this new place because everything in here is so cool. They want to know how they can be part of the competitive team.”
The new TNT building is not only turning heads locally but coaches and program leaders from around the world of USA gymnastics are also taking note. Troxel said a coach from Chicago comes to Prairie du Chien once a month now to work with the athletes. She’s also excited that TNT will be hosting a collegiate camp this year with the head gymnastics coach from UW-Whitewater and a world champion who now assists the University of Georgia program. There are other competitions coming to town in the near future too.
“USA gymnastics has prerequisites for square footage for them to even consider you,” Troxel noted. “The kids and parents are so excited about these opportunities. Not only do they bring people to our community but they also save our families on the cost of traveling to and competing at those other places.”
Troxel said she’s grateful for the local businesses, particularly Spahn and Rose and Nelson True Value, who helped her open her dream facility.
For more information, visit tntgymnasticswi.com.