Gymnastics parents press for child safety measures in wake of criminal allegations

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on August 17, 2022.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Mallory Kristjanson speaks to the reporters Monday about what she and other concerned parents say are multiple safety concerns within extracurricular activities, in the wake of sexual assault allegations involving the Lethbridge Gymnastics Academy.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Parents are raising concerns about their children’s safety while enrolled in extracurricular activities after sexual assault allegations against a gymnastics coach recently came to light.

Multiple parents who previously raised concerns about a lack of refund from the Lethbridge Gymnastics Academy are now focusing their efforts into raising awareness about children’s safety.

“We’re here to actually make the change that every child in this community is safe moving forward for any extracurricular activity that they are put in. We are seeking that there is actual policy and mandates pursuant to ensuring that no child is left one-on-one with the coach,” said Mallory Kristjanson.

She said they are hoping that children are actually given the opportunity to understand appropriate and inappropriate touching.

“That moving forward as a community and as parents, we have that conversation with our children, what is acceptable and what is not acceptable, that we’re not afraid to have these conversations with our kids moving forward,” said Kristjanson.

She said those are conversations that are long overdue as a community.

“If I don’t see my money back and we don’t see our money back we’re okay with that, because we want to make sure that not a single child has to go through anything like this again,” said Kristjanson.

Those words are echoed by Scott Macneil who said talking about the refund sounds petty in comparison to raising awareness about children’s safety.

“The refund seems trivial considering what these children and these parents are going through right now. I happily give up $300 just to know my daughter is safe and other kids are safe as well,” said Macneil.

He said he is hoping the children, parents and families are coping as best they can under the circumstances.

Macneil recently enrolled his daughter in a different gymnastics academy as she was about to start official training after taking part in a summer camp at LGA.

“For something like this to happen, it just sent me over the edge where she was outta here as quick as I could get her out of here,” said Macneil.

He said at the new academy he feels more comfortable with his daughter being there, as he is able to watch and be aware of her whereabouts at all times.

“Facilities that don’t provide the ability to sit and monitor your children, are not a good facility as far as I’m concerned,” said Macneil.

Kristjanson said the situation is aggravated by the lack of communication with the facility owner.

“For myself as a parent who is a single parent out $300 is difficult, but it is frustrating when a business owner can’t pick up the phone and just explain this is what’s going on,” said Kristjanson.

Some parents received an email while others did not. Most of the parents who received the email were academy members but those hoping for a refund from summer camps did not.

The email reads in part: “On Friday and Saturday I lost all but two staff members Chloe and my son Tierga, in addition I have been receiving threats against myself, my business and my family. On Tuesday LGA will be closed permanently. If you have been doing summer training and have paid for August, in the next two to three days you will have a credit on your account for what you have paid past today and that will turn into a refund. I am unable to give you a timeline on that right now until I speak to our processor and go through everything throughout this week.”

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