Gymnastics training center cheering return
Haven Cheer Gymnastics holds ribbon-cutting at Franklin Crossroads Park
Cheer Haven All-Stars is limbering up for a lengthy run at Franklin Crossroads Park.
The gymnastics training center, also known as Haven Cheer & Gymnastics, is fitting in at the site where Washington Crown Center had operated for a half-century – before a $40 million transformation into the mixed-use Franklin Crossroads Park began in North Franklin Township.
“We’re the only competitive gymnastics training center in Washington County,” said Leigh Williams, owner and director of Cheer Haven, which offers competitive gymnastics, competitive cheerleading, events and services.
The new location was publicly unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 9.
Cheer Haven operated in the mall for about a half-dozen years before leaving June 26. It moved into the new space – 14,998 square feet of it, according to Williams – in July.
The center sits on the commercial side of the project, in Suite 180, between Rural King and Nail Trix, and near The Toffee House and King’s Jewelry. The location is benefiting from repaving of the parking lot and new lighting.
Cheer Haven offers a diverse program beyond competitive gymnastics and competitive cheerleading. It includes recreational gym classes, tumbling classes, private lessons and birthday parties.
Programs are available to anyone age 12 months to 18 years old. “We have students of all ages,” said Williams, who has worked in the gymnastics field for 20 years.
“There is an awareness of body in almost every sport and we have programs for boys and girls,” said Williams, who has about 15 staff members, including instructors. “Local high schools rent out our facility for cheerleading.”
Registration for fall classes will begin Sept. 8 and the owner/director anticipates “having over 300 students participating.”
Although it is a separate entity, Cheer Haven has a link to a bygone gymnastics facility that was locally iconic, a site where Williams worked. It was the Meadow Lands Gymnastics Training Center, also known as Gym Dandys.
That gym closed in October 2019, near the onset of COVID-19, following 35 years of operation. Williams, a Washington resident and Chartiers-Houston High graduate, helped open a new gym at Crown Center, christening it Haven Cheer & Gymnastics.
By either name, Haven Cheer & Gymnastics or Cheer Haven All-Stars, things are working out for the owner, her staff, competitive gymnasts, competitive cheerleaders, birthday celebrants, schools, and Franklin Crossroads Park.
“We are very proud to have the opportunity to stay in Washington County,” Leigh Williams said.