WATERVILLE — Alfond Youth Center officials announced Wednesday that Decal Gymnastics will move out of the North Street center and into its locations in Skowhegan and Augusta after Aug. 23 in preparation for opening a new facility in the Waterville area next year.

According to a news release from the Alfond Center, the move is intended to help move Decal into its next phase of providing the highest quality gymnastics instruction and competition in the Central Maine Area.

Decal has been in operation 28 years, the last 18 at the Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA of Greater Waterville at the Alfond Youth Center.

As Decal programs continue to grow both in numbers and recognition at the regional, state and national levels, owner Carol Hamilton-Brewer said she finds it necessary to expand by moving from the Alfond Center into its two other locations before the new facility opens next year.

“Carol has been an amazing member of our community for as long as I’ve been CEO,” said Ken Walsh, Alfond Center’s chief executive officer. “We are excited about Decal’s success and what Carol and her team bring to our communities. Though we’ll miss her bright and supportive energies in our hallways, Decal will still play a great role at the Center in developing our Y gymnastics team, feeder programs, tournaments and summer camps.”

Hamilton-Brewer said Decal and the Alfond Center’s relationship is one they both are committed to maintaining.

“Both programs need room to expand and this solution creates a real win-win for the Waterville community,” she said. With the Alfond Center’s new wellness center expansion and Brewer-Hamilton’s independently run Decal Gymnastics locations, both will be able to serve additional community members who will benefit the most, according to the release.

Hamilton-Brewer always took the organization’s core values to heart, the release said.

“I believe in giving kids a positive sports experience, I believe in teaching sportsmanship, and that a good work ethic will get kids far, not only in sports but in life,” Hamilton-Brewer said. “The YMCA philosophy is embedded in our structure and we are forever grateful for all we have learned.”

Those wanting more information about Decal and its programs may contact Hamilton-Brewer at decalgym.carol@gmail.com or call 474-3222.

The Alfond Center serves more than 60,000 hot meals and 5,000 youth each year, according to the release. Its licensed after-school program has more than 300 youths registered at its main club and, on average, serves 200 children every day with a hot meal, academic and fun enrichment activities, as well as recreation programs. Most children arrive by school bus from Fairfield, Waterville, Winslow and Oakland schools. Program offerings include child care, recreation, athletics, New England sports camps, and Camp Tracy programs. The programs draw youths and families from 191 Maine communities and 19 states.

Those wanting more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA of Greater Waterville at the Alfond Youth Center, or about ways they can help, may visit www.ClubAYC.org.

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