Flip Factory

“I promise myself…
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet.
To give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds.
To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me”

Christian D. Larson (1874-1954)
The Optimist’s Creed

Wow! That's a tall order, but worth aspiring to. It has been a busy and intense two weeks. Our offer to lease a new space was rejected by the landlord as we aren't 'a conventional business'. Fair enough. For those of you who know Flip Factory, we aren't a conventional business or organization! One of my former staff members commented the other day: 'There's cutting and there's bleeding edge. Flip Factory is bleeding edge!' I'm determined to keep our movement going. The right space is out there, perhaps it needs to be built?! I'm not afraid to put skin in the game but need some support from the greater community. Thank you for continuing to read my posts and please keep sending those good vibes. There is a way to keep our gym going; we just need to figure it out. The world needs more Flip Factories.
Have a great day,
Darlene :)

Hello Flip Factory Friends & Family,

I’m overwhelmed by your show of support for our gym and community. Thank you! Latest updates:
- Flip Factory’s insurer acknowledged the need for Flip to relocate even though there are 2 ½ years left on the lease.
- Landlord continues to charge full rent since the incident despite a rent abatement clause and legal intervention.
- Rent was increased on Aug. 1/23 and again Jan. 1/24.
- An offer to lease and deposit was put forth by Flip on a new space. The Development Permit Application is currently under review with the city.
- Last Monday, Flip reached out to four individuals to assist Madeline, Taylor and I in disassembling leasehold improvements that were specific to Flip. Miracles do happen! What has been accomplished in 6 days is awe inspiring.
Over the course of Flip’s 12-year tenancy, numerous leasehold improvements were made. A huge thank you and much gratitude to PC, SJ, DM among many others. The following leasehold improvements are not being removed:
- Complete upgrades to 5 existing washrooms including creation of one barrier-free washroom.
- Creation of 3 additional washrooms, 2 of which are barrier-free with showers to meet code.
- Installation of new stairwell leading from mezzanine to exterior to satisfy code requirements for having people use the mezzanine.
- Upgrading of fluorescent light fixtures throughout facility
- Two roll up fire doors separating bays 1 & 2 from bay 3.
- New engineered interior stairwell in bay 3.
- Re-built and reinforced ½ walls running the length of all 3 mezzanines.
- 4 new overhead Reznor furnaces to replace the original furnaces from the early 80’s.
- Upgrades to all emergency exit signs and emergency lighting.
- Engineer-approved ceiling grids to support aerial apparatus.
Last Monday, the environmental hygienist, Flip’s adjuster and the remediation company visited Flip to inspect the sprung floor systems being stored in 2 sea cans behind the facility. Upon visual inspection and upon immediately finding iron filings, the floor systems were slated for disposal. Why wasn’t this done 5 months ago?
- Flip has rented sea cans at a storage facility. The insurance company is balking at assisting with the removal of remaining equipment that is in the facility (ie gymnastics bars, trampoline frames, 40’ tumble track frame, gymnastics beams, bar stool frames, etc.)

Let’s hope that the weather warms up a bit next week for transporting these remaining items!

I would like to point out that I stand corrected: Flip Factory’s insurer has paid $75,000.00 since the incident on the Business Interruption clause. I thought that these funds had been forwarded based on the ACV (actual cash value) of our equipment. My apologies, my learning curve on all of this is vertical.

Regardless of, whether or not Flip’s insurer will assist in our relocation; regardless of whatever the landlord continues to do or not do; and regardless of pending smear campaigns that I know are brewing – I am determined to keep Flip Factory alive.

Please continue to spread the word and send out good vibes – it makes a world of difference.

Darlene :)

I am so sorry, I have to close our gym for the remainder of summer and at least until January 2024 due to complications arising from a roof replacement by our landlord. Most importantly, no participants or staff were injured. I am starting to better understand the scope of the damage and impact it will have on our Flip Factory Community. Business interruption insurance will enable Flip Factory to refund families who were registered in summer camps, summer evening classes, fall programs and fall birthday bookings. Insurance on our equipment will cover clean up and replacement of equipment that cannot be 100% guaranteed safe for future use. Flip Factory has 3 years left on its lease. Despite being a tenant since 2011 and paying rent on time every month even during the pandemic, the new landlord has demonstrated business practices that make me question if it is safe or viable to continue to operate Flip Factory in its current location. Both Alberta Health Services and the City of Calgary have issued closure orders on the facility. Wynward Insurance is moving forward on Flip Factory’s behalf with finalizing the damage and formulating a course of action to remedy the situation. When it was apparent that the landlord had no regard for the safety of our kids or staff, I reached out to Global News. The story aired on Friday, July 21/23 ‘gymnastics camps forced to reschedule due to renovation’. Since then, the situation has gone from bad to worse to unbelievable. I apologize that I did not reach out to all of you sooner. Quite frankly, I’ve been in a state of shock and disbelief. I apologize for the inconvenience and disappointment our gym’s closure will cause. Despite all of this, I am determined to keep Flip Factory alive. I feel that our organization makes a huge positive impact on the lives of many kids. I will continue to update you on a regular basis now that I know what we are dealing with. Darlene Traviss, Founder, Owner & Coach