Over the weekend, students and families of the Triple T Sports Center on Constance Road got some bad news. Then they got some good news. Then they got some really, REALLY good news.

The bad news was that, come this fall, their center would be closing. The good news was that it would stay that way for less than a week.

Then the great news; that the facility would be moving to a building on Pruden Boulevard, part of the Tidewater Occupational Building. It will become a 24,000 square foot organization, complete with an in-ground trampoline and padded pits and other offerings. It’s intended to become a home for USA Gymnastics, cheerleading and other meets over the next few years.

&uot;We’ve outgrown this facility,&uot; said Cheryl Woods, as her co-owner, Tyrone Burks, gave the news to the crowd outside. &uot;Here, we don’t have enough room anymore.&uot;

Since opening in November 2001, the gym has educated roughly 1,200 families from across South Hampton Roads. About 800 families and 1,000 students currently sharpen their skills in gymnastics, cheerleading, martial arts and other physical activities at Triple T’s.

&uot;It’s been wonderful (at the current location),&uot; Woods said. &uot;This is where it started. It’s been a great location.&uot;

Meanwhile, some of the students had a show to put on; the gym was holding its third annual Gymnastics Challenge Fun Meet, a way for the kids to compete against their teammates and show off for their families and friends. Children age 3-5 did their thing on the floor, uneven bars, vault and balance beam on Saturday, followed by age 6-9 Sunday.

&uot;This is my favorite sport,&uot; Kristine Toolis said during a break in the action, &uot;because I get to hang out with all my friends.&uot;

Nansemond Parkway Elementary student Maya Hairston hopes to hang with the sport all the way to the national level.

&uot;It’s my dream to be a gymnast at the Olympics,&uot; she said. &uot;Gymnastics is what I like to do. I’d rather do that than something I don’t like.&uot;

When she found out about the future move, Elizabeth Eyler was excited.

&uot;I like it here, learning so much,&uot; said the Robertson Elementary student, &uot;but when we move, there’s going to be more room so more people could be here at once.&uot;

There might be some more people there this weekend; from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, the gym will hold its annual Open House for the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters complete with face painting, clowns, food, games and other activities. Gymnasts will hold a Cartwheel-A-Thon to raise money for the hospital. At 6:30 p.m. that evening at Nansemond Parkway Elemen-tary, the Triple T kids will perform in a recital.

jason.norman@suffolknewsherald.com