Friday May 29th 2026
Xcite Bathgate
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
West Lothian Leisure launched its brand-new purpose-built Gymnastics Arena at Xcite Bathgate this week – welcoming local children to a special event featuring the county’s Commonwealth bronze medallist Shannon Archer.
The new £330,000 facility has been created in response to a 170% increase in gymnastics participation across Xcite venues in recent years and provides a dedicated home for gymnasts in West Lothian.
The launch event gave attendees the chance to take part in an exclusive workshop and choreography session led by Shannon, who made history in 2022 as the first Scottish woman to win a Commonwealth Games medal in artistic gymnastics after taking bronze on vault.
Young gymnasts also took part in a Q&A session with Shannon, where she shared insights into her career, training journey, and experiences competing on the international stage.
The new Gymnastics Arena features specialist equipment, dedicated learning zones and flexible activity spaces designed to support participants of all ages and abilities, from beginners taking their first steps in gymnastics through to competitive athletes.
Karen Pearson-McGrath, Sports & Services Operations Manager at Xcite, said: “Seeing the new Gymnastics Arena officially launched and filled with so much energy and excitement has been fantastic. Demand for gymnastics across West Lothian has grown significantly in recent years, and this new facility allows us to create more opportunities for local people to get active, develop new skills and progress within the sport.
“We were delighted to welcome West Lothian’s very own Commonwealth bronze medallist, Shannon. Having an athlete of Shannon’s calibre inspiring young gymnasts and sharing her experiences made the event incredibly special and memorable.”
Shannon said: “It’s been amazing to visit the new gymnastics arena and meet so many enthusiastic young gymnasts. Having facilities like this in the local community is so important for helping young people build confidence, stay active, and enjoy the sport. As someone from West Lothian myself, I am proud to support the launch and hopefully inspire the next generation. I started in a gymnastics club in facilities very similar to this one, and with the support of my coaches I went on to achieve my dream of winning a Commonwealth medal, so there’s every chance this arena could help produce future champions from West Lothian.”
The new facility will open to the public from Monday and will host a wide range of programmes including early-years classes, recreational gymnastics, club training, adult sessions and birthday parties.
To find out more about Bathgate Gymnastics Arena, visit: www.westlothianleisure.com/new-xcite-gymnastics-arena/
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