Langley has officially raised the bar when it comes to hosting high-level gymnastics competitions.

Previously the host venue of the 2009, ’10, and ’11 BC Gymnastics Championships, the Langley Events Centre (LEC) will be the site of the 2012 Western Canadian championships from May 3-6.

This four-day event, held in partnership with the Langley Gymnastics Foundation, will bring together close to 200 of Western Canada’s best young artistic gymnasts, along with 50 coaches and judges.

The Western Canadian meet is hosted annually by western provinces and territories. For many athletes, this will be their first chance to compete as a member of a provincial team. This event identifies future High Performance athletes and prepares them for competitions such as the Canadian championships, Western Canada Summer Games, and Canada Winter Games.

For other athletes, their involvement may be the pinnacle of their careers.

The event is being hosted by Gymnastics BC and will be managed locally by the Langley Gymnastics Foundation (LGF). For many of its athletes, LGF is a second home because they are spending between 20 and 30 hours a week at its gym, located inside the LEC, while also attending school and taking part in other activities.

Potential Team BC members Alannah McPherson and Tyler Welch, both representing LGF, joined a number of dignitaries at Tuesday’s press conference at the LEC, for the announcement of the event.

Thirteen-year-old McPherson competed at last year’s Western Canadian Championships, held April 28-30, 2011 in Grande Prairie, Alta, where she finished fifth all around in the P5 Novice Division while helping Team BC place first overall.

“It was awesome,” McPherson said, of her 2011 experience. “It was really fun.”

Welch, 16, is vying to make this year’s BC Team and subsequently compete on home soil.

Also on hand were: Gymnastics BC CEO Moira Gookstetter; Township Mayor Jack Froese; Garry Geisler president of the meet’s organizing committee as well as LGF president; and Jared Harman, director of business development with the Langley Events Centre.

“We are excited to welcome Western Canada’s finest gymnasts to Langley,” Gookstetter said. “The Langley Events Centre is a great facility to host a national gymnastics event. The enthusiasm and commitment by Langley Gymnastics, the Township of Langley, and its residents will ensure that this event is successful.”

Gookstetter said the LEC is a great venue for gymnastics competitions.

“We’ve held many provincial level events here in the past,” she said.

The Western Canadian championships has been a starting point for many athletes who have gone on to successful careers at the national and international levels, Gookstetter said.

“Who knows? Maybe future Olympians will get their start at this event here in Langley,” she added. “Regardless, I’m confident that [it will be] an event that all athletes will remember for a long time.”

Geisler said organizers are very excited to host the high-level meet.

“The championships will provide an opportunity for local athletes, judges, parents, and the general public to participate in and gain experience from a national level competition. The championships will once again provide Langley with an opportunity to offer our warm hospitality.”

The LEC features an arena bowl that can hold up to 5,500 fans as well as a 25,000 sq. foot gymnasium.

Harman said this is the largest gymnastics competition the LEC has hosted to date, adding “to have the best in the sport from Western Canada competing at our venue will be exciting for all involved. Our partnership with the Langley Gymnastics Foundation and Gymnastics BC is extremely important to us and we look forward to helping put on a great event.”

sports@langleyadvance.com