Dear TAGS Gymnastics Families,
We’d like to take a moment to introduce ourselves. We’re Tony Aretz and Alex Pesavento and we own and operate TAGS Gymnastics. We hope this email finds you and your family in good health during these challenging times. We appreciate you taking the time to read our letter.
History
TAGS was started 43 years ago in 1977 by our parents Greg and Julia. Julia was running a thriving community ed gymnastics program that lost their space to practice. In order for these gymnasts to continue with the sport they loved, TAGS was born. From our small gym in Burnsville with 50 students, we’ve grown to multiple locations where thousands of students per week enjoy the sport we’re all so passionate about.
As youngsters we were fortunate to have had the ability to participate in gymnastics at TAGS for over 10 years. Some of our fondest memories are of flipping around at TAGS while making new friends during the 80’s and 90’s. Even today we still maintain many of these friendships. We’ve been blessed to serve our community by providing quality gymnastics in a safe, fun and positive atmosphere for so many years.
Today
Everyone’s world has been rocked by the spread of COVID-19 over the past few weeks. While we were led to believe that a few week closure of schools & certain businesses was to be sufficient to stop the virus, it seems as though we’ll now need to commit to social distancing for an extended period. This means TAGS will not reopen by the March 30th projection.
It’s been difficult walking through a cold, dark gym in silence that’s typically filled with the laughter and exuberance of hundreds of athletes each day doing the sport they love. Devastated doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the emotions we’re all feeling at this time.
Our Promise
Our promise to you, your family, the 130 dedicated TAGS employees and their families is that TAGS will weather this storm and emerge stronger than ever to continue our tradition of being a leader in Minnesota gymnastics instruction. With that being said, we know this road will not be easy. TAGS has been working hard to cut any non-essential expenses while compensating all employees for hours missed for this week and the last. Unfortunately, there will still be unavoidable expenses such as rent, utilities, insurance, etc. Many amazing people have reached out to help and here’s how you can.
Please Remain Enrolled
Our TAGS family, like many other small businesses, is at a critical juncture at this time. We’re looking forward to resuming operations when this crisis is over and we deeply appreciate your support. TAGS will resume all activities when we’ve been directed by our officials that it’s safe to do so (tentatively May 4th).
At the time of reopening, in lieu of makeup classes, we’ll be crediting everyone’s TAGS account for any classes missed due to the COVID-19 closure. In addition, by staying enrolled, every Spring Session family will get a $50 BONUS credit on your TAGS account at the end of the session to use for future at TAGS. These credits will never expire and will be good for any future sessions, camps, extra events and ProShop purchases.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We want to offer a sincere thank you for being a part of the TAGS Gymnastics family. We recognize that we’re entrusted with the most important people in your lives and our staff strives to make your child’s gymnastics experience a positive and fulfilling one. TAGS wouldn’t be the place it is today without the amazing gymnasts, parents and staff. THANK YOU!
We at TAGS can’t wait to turn on the lights, fire up the heat and get your children involved in the physically, mentally and emotionally rewarding sport of gymnastics. In the meantime, we wish you and your family continued good health. Stay positive and remember this troubled time will pass and life will be back to normal sooner than later.
Kind Regards,
Tony & Alex
TAGS Gymnastics Owners
“Quality gymnastics in a safe, fun, positive atmosphere since 1977.”