Since 1974, Steve Heasley's Butler Gymnastics Club has provided Butler, Mercer and Allegheny counties and the surrounding communities with professional programming in motor development, educational and competitive gymnastics.

Butler Gymnastics Club is a full-service club that offers programs for youth of all ages and gender.

When one speaks of gymnastics in Western Pennsylvania, it is hard not to mention Steve Heasley's name. As the owner and founder of Butler Gymnastics, Steve has been involved with the sport at every level and was a 2000 Butler Area Sports Hall of Fame inductee.

As a competitor, Steve was a member of the Butler High School and Slippery Rock University teams. A four-year letterman, Steve also was captain and earned All-American honors.

Steve began his coaching career at Butler Senior High School, coaching both the boys and girls teams. In five seasons, the girls team earned the record of 54-2 and is still one of the school's best records overall for any sport. In that time, the Butler teams were twice the WPIAL and PIAA champions.

The philosophy of the Butler Gymnastics Club is to provide quality gymnastics and motor learning instruction in a safe environment. Through gymnastics, youth are better able to reach their potential physically, cognitively and emotionally.

Gymnastics is a sport where learned skills and attitudes have a strong carry-over effect to other activities.

Butler Gymnastics offers more than 20,000 square feet, allowing for not only gymnastics, but also an indoor climbing wall, a pro shop and a soft play area for children. Party packages are available for gymnastics, wall climbing and soft play.

The club's gymnastics program is planned around the USA Gymnastics age group program to provide each student the opportunity to achieve success through safe and positive skill program instruction. This allows for the refinement of skills and an atmosphere that makes learning fun.

Butler Gymnastics offers classes for boys and girls from toddlers, beginners, intermediate and pre-team to competitive teams. It also offers beginner to advanced cheerleading classes and summer camps for beginners, competitive teams, cheerleaders and toddlers.

The low student-to-instructor ratio ensures the best instruction. All instructors are safety certified by USA Gymnastics.

Tired of climbing your walls at home? For more exercise and fun, try "The Mountain," one of a few indoor climbing walls in this part of the state. For beginners to rock climbing enthusiasts, "The Mountain" is 24 feet high and 100 feet wide, giving climbers 13 separate routes and overhangs of 90 degrees and 45 degrees. The Mountain offers qualified instructors and group/party rates.

For sheer fun, Butler Gymnastics Club added a soft play area. With ball pits, slides, hoops and a separate tots area, this area provides fun in a safe environment. Party packages are available.

The pro shop offers gym necessities and novelty items. It carries gym mats, practice beams, leotards, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, cards and more.

This article was submitted by the Butler Gymnastics Club.