Imperial Valley Flipz showcases new digs
IMPERIAL — Imperial Valley Flipz has a new home. The combination cheerleading/gymnastics gymnasium has moved on from the Main Street El Centro premises it has occupied for the past eight-odd years and settled into an Imperial address at 463 W. Aten — which it shares with Tucker Autobody and Towing.
Their new digs were properly christened on Saturday with a ribbon cutting ceremony that featured gym members, coaches, parents and members of the Imperial Chamber of Commerce.
The Aten location is Flipz’s fourth since proprietor Desi Dewbre first set up shop in March of 2007.
Originally Dewbre taught class on temporary mats rolled out in the Casa de Mañana at the Imperial Valley Expo. That arrangement lasted for “about six months” before Flipz settled into its first permanent spot on El Centro’s State Street, which was home for a period of three years.
Now back in Imperial full time, things have come full circle for the gym, and Dewbre seems largely pleased with the way things have shaken out, despite certain outside forces putting the move in motion following the sale of their building on Main Street.
The pending sale “pushed us to make decisions,” Dewbre said, but she had been kicking the tires on a move for a while before that news gave the thought some newfound urgency.
When the spot on the Tucker Autobody grounds (formerly the home of 4:13 Fitness) opened up, it
seemed like a logical landing spot.
“The Tuckers are very good family friends, who send athletes to the gym,” said Dewbre. They told her about the opportunity and “we looked at it right away, and it was the best fit for us. We loved the location.
“We’re really excited to be here,” she went on. “Imperial’s a growing community … and we’re happy to be a part of it.”
Dewbre said she feels that being in Imperial will help the gym draw from all over the Valley, due to the town’s centrality. She reported that in the two weeks since Flipz re-opened following a weeklong, end-of-May move, she’s already seen additional interest from local parents.
The building itself, doesn’t differ much from the old one, but “it’s shaped a little bit differently, so we’ve had to get used to having the equipment where it is. … It’s all working fine though. We have it dialed in,” Dewbre said.
She said she hopes the move facilitates growth so as to give “as many athletes as possible” access to “life skills like leadership, teamwork, discipline and integrity. We’re teaching more to the kids than just tricks … (we’re) hopefully building some character.”
Prior to the official ribbon cutting, Imperial Chamber of Commerce members took a moment officially welcome Flipz to the city, presenting the gym with a certificate and praising its mission.
The night also featured some tumbling showcases by current gym members, a period of open exploration for prospective members and an on-site raspados truck.