Save Arlington Gymnastics

What Is Being Proposed

On February 20, 2026, Arlington Parks & Recreation notified families.

Complete Program Elimination

The FY 2027 Proposed Budget will include eliminating ALL competitive and recreational gymnastics programs and closing Barcroft Sports & Fitness Center for at least one year to repurpose for unspecified “other operational needs.” Effective date: May 16, 2026.

Breaking: Feb 20, 2026

Yorktown Athletes Learned Their Program Is Being Cut — While Competing at the State Tournament

On February 18, Yorktown’s girls gymnastics team won the 6D North Region Championship — their first region title since 2016. Two days later, while competing at the VHSL Class 6 State Meet in Virginia Beach, these athletes received word that Arlington plans to eliminate the very programs that built their success.

Many of Yorktown’s 16-member team — including 12 newcomers and 8 freshmen — compete year-round for the Arlington Aerials club program at Barcroft. The Wielechowski sisters, Teagan and Tatum, led the team to its region title. Coach Charlotte Reilly praised the team’s dedication to high-school gymnastics.

1st Region title since 2016

12 of 16 gymnasts are newcomers

Aerials-trained athletes at the core

Source: ARLnow, Feb. 18, 2026

Aerials & Tigers competitive programs discontinued after this season — programs that bring state and national recognition to Arlington County

Barcroft facility (28,000 sq ft purpose-built center) closed for at least one year

Both competitive AND recreational gymnastics eliminated entirely

No community consultation — the budget survey never asked about this cut

Private alternatives are significantly more expensive — county programs provide affordable, equitable access for all families

High school gymnastics at Arlington schools depends on these feeder programs — cuts will undermine teams that are competitive at the state level

Arlington’s home meet draws recognition from gymnasts across the region, putting the county on the map in competitive gymnastics

Tigers men’s gymnastics is one of the few public men’s programs in the area — a rare and valuable resource for boys

DPR cites declining post-pandemic participation & cost recovery challenges

What Arlington Residents Said

From the FY 2027 Budget Engagement — 2,455 respondents, January 14–30, 2026

37%

are parents/caregivers of children or teens

70%

can afford or adjust to fee increases for programs

41%

disagree with cutting community programs over operational services

49% of those who can’t afford a tax increase are parents — they need affordable programs, not elimination

Energy & technology projects ranked most acceptable to delay — NOT community facilities

The engagement survey never asked residents about eliminating gymnastics or closing Barcroft

Multiple public comments specifically support fee increases and sliding-scale fee structures

These programs bring state & national recognition to Arlington — our home meet draws gymnasts from across the region

Arlington high school gymnastics teams that compete at the state level depend on county feeder programs like Aerials and Tigers

Your County Board — In Their Own Words

From their January 5, 2026 Organizational Meeting remarks. Hold them to their stated priorities.

Matt de Ferranti

Board Chair

mdeferranti@arlingtonva.us

“Protecting the investments that make Arlington great — our environment, our schools, and our children.”

Father of young son. Helped pass $400K for after-school programs in 2025.

Maureen Coffey

Vice Chair

mcoffey@arlingtonva.us

“Caring and courageous leadership requires we parse out what is necessary from what is nice.”

Youngest-ever vice chair. Champions community engagement and transparency.

Takis Karantonis

Board Member

tkarantonis@arlingtonva.us

“Can we do the same with less? Can we apply our equity lens and be more deliberate and judicious?”

Economist. Named Parks and Sports as services needing creative rethinking.

Susan Cunningham KEY CONTACT

Board Member — Parks & Rec Liaison

scunningham@arlingtonva.us

“We kept our People first, focusing care and resources on our youth. We launched the Youth Strategic Plan.”

Board liaison to Parks & Recreation Commission AND Sports Commission.

Julius “J.D.” Spain Sr.

Board Member

jdspain@arlingtonva.us

“Strategic investments in people, prevention, and stability reduce long-term costs.”

Champions youth programming, affordability, and inclusive governance.

Email all: countyboard@arlingtonva.us | Budget comments: dmf@arlingtonva.us | Phone: 703-228-3130

Alternatives to Elimination

Constructive proposals to present to the Board

Increase Program Fees

70% of survey respondents said they can afford or adjust to fee increases. Raise fees to improve cost recovery before eliminating.

Public-Private Partnership

Partner with a private gymnastics operator to run programs at Barcroft, reducing county staffing costs while maintaining access.

Shared-Use Model

Keep gymnastics in its purpose-built space while adding other programming to increase utilization and revenue.

Phased Reduction

Reduce recreational offerings while maintaining competitive teams. Competitive programs have highest retention and sustain higher fees.

Community Fundraising

Allow families to fundraise supplemental support. Explore state/federal recreation grants. Many communities have saved programs this way.

Full Cost Transparency

Release the full cost-benefit analysis before closing. What does gymnastics actually cost vs. what will repurposing Barcroft cost?

Key Dates

Mark your calendar. Every one of these matters.

FEB 21

FY 2027 Proposed Budget Released

Read the full proposal. Understand exact savings numbers. Share this page.

MAR 5

County Board Work Session with DPR (1:00 PM)

Watch online. No public comment, but presence shows engagement.

MAR 24

Public Budget Hearing (6:30 PM)

SIGN UP TO SPEAK. This is your primary chance. Bozman Govt Center, 3rd Floor.

MAR 26

Tax Rate & Fees Hearing (6:30 PM)

Attend and speak about fee alternatives to program cuts.

APRIL

Board Adopts Final Budget

Final push: emails, calls, public comments before the vote.

MAY 4

Town Hall Meeting (6:30 PM)

New town hall format. Additional opportunity for community voice.

Talking Points

Copy, personalize, and use in emails and public testimony.

Your Story

“My child [name/age] has been in the Aerials/Tigers program for [X years]. This program has taught [discipline, confidence, teamwork].”

Fee Alternative

“Arlington’s own survey shows 70% of residents can afford or adjust to fee increases. Why wasn’t that explored before elimination?”

Facility Investment

“Barcroft was purpose-built for gymnastics at significant taxpayer expense. Repurposing for vague ‘operational needs’ wastes that investment.”

Lack of Input

“The budget engagement never asked residents about closing Barcroft or cutting gymnastics. This decision lacks community input.”

Board’s Own Words

“Chair de Ferranti pledged to protect ‘investments in our children.’ Board Member Cunningham launched the Youth Strategic Plan. This cut contradicts both.”

Willingness to Help

“We are willing to pay more in fees. We are willing to fundraise. We are willing to partner. Please explore alternatives before eliminating.”

Equity Access

“Private gymnastics programs are significantly more expensive than county programs. Affordable public access matters. Parents are already the group MOST impacted by tax increases.”

State Recognition

“Arlington Aerials and Tigers bring state and national recognition to Arlington County. Our home meet draws gymnasts from across the region. Cutting these programs erases Arlington from the competitive map.”

High School Pipeline

“Arlington high school gymnastics teams compete successfully at the state level. These school teams depend on county feeder programs like Aerials and Tigers. Eliminating them undermines our students’ competitiveness.”

Strategic Rethinking

“Board Member Karantonis asked ‘Can we do the same with less?’ We agree. Reduce costs creatively, don’t eliminate the only public option.”

Share Your Story

Your voice matters. Gymnasts, parents, alumni — tell Arlington what this program means to you.

Record a short video (30–90 seconds) or write a testimonial about what Arlington gymnastics has meant to your family. We’ll compile these for the Board and share on social media.

🎥

Record a Video

Film on your phone. Tell your story. Email to savearlingtongymnastics@gmail.com or post with our hashtag.

✍️

Write a Testimonial

A few sentences about your experience. We’ll include it in our public comment packet for the Board.

#SaveArlingtonGymnastics