History
In September of 1993, the Greater Buffalo Gymnastics Center opened its doors to the Amherst community and surrounding areas after years of overcoming obstacles. A now triumphant Hirsch Family battled though the town of Amherst rezoning process, cleared 2.1 acres of property by hand and faced uncooperative weather to appreciate the reality of their dreams on September 20, 1993 when the first classes were held at their pristine new facility.
Torey Hirsch met Sharon DePeters when he asked her to perform in an 8th grade gymnastics talent show at Heim Middle School. The two have been involved in gymnastics ever since. Having a combined total of over 70 years experience, both Torey and Sharon take pride in teaching children of all ages. This is evident by their involvement in programs such as Williamsville Community Education all way up to coaching High School competitive teams.
Throughout high school, Torey and Sharon competed for Williamsville North and then continued on to college where they never lost touch, or their love for the sport of gymnastics. Sharon decided on Canisus College where she graduated with a prestigious degree in nursing. Torey attended Kent State and transferred to Ohio State where he graduated with a degree in Psychology. After graduation, they returned to their hometown and married in 1980. They continued to coach in the area and started a family by having a son TJ and, a daughter Jacquie.
Both Torey and Sharon worked nights at the Buffalo General Hospital in their respective fields, instructed gymnastics during the day, continued to raise a family, and at times held a third job. The concept of providing gymnastics instruction under their own terms was a dream Torey and Sharon had always talked about. After years of searching, they found the perfect spot in Amherst New York, the safest town in America, but the struggle had just begun to turn their dream into a reality.
In 1988 after negotiating the purchase of land, the town planning department denied their proposal for the 13,600 square foot facility because they felt the land parcel was not big enough and it may also be archeologically sensitive. This battle was eventually won and the two began a year long process of writing a business plan and retaining financing. After Torey and Sharon secured a loan, things began to look up and construction began shortly thereafter. Torey took on the general contracting himself with the help of his brother Tracy, owner of Trason Development Corporation, and the rest of the Hirsch Family who assisted in the building process to truly make Greater Buffalo a family built, owned and operated business.
Today, The Greater Buffalo Gymnastics Center is now part of the only complex of its kind in all of New York State. The once thought "to small parcel of land" has now grown into a $2+ Million dollar, 5 acre complex with more 34,500 square feet completely dedicated to children, education and health that offers gymnastics, an adult fitness center, dance, martial arts and a full service childcare and pre-school center.
TJ now 26, graduated from Geneseo where he holds 2 school records in diving, was a 3-time state champion and an NCAA National All-American. He is using his earned degree in Business Management to help run the business and, served as project manager for the facility's $1.7 million dollar expansion. Jacquie, who also attends Geneseo State University, is keeping up the family's traditions in college sports and education as well. Her first year was spent learning the ropes of the diving team from her senior year brother where she placed in the top 5 at the conference championships. She works at the gym when she is home from school and is 1 semester away from graduating with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Currently, she is undergoing cancer treatment for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia which began after her diagnosis on September 28th, 2007 at the age of 22. Jacquie has big plans for the future that involve the education of children, both in the classroom and in the gym. Since her diagnosis, she has been fighting hard to be able to turn her dreams into a much deserved reality.
The Greater Buffalo Gymnastics Center, Greater Buffalo Fitness Center and Greater Buffalo Children's Park were all built behind the Hirsch Family's driving force of education and health. This specially designed complex allows for fun, fit, learning activities the whole family can enjoy and are some of the same principles which made Torey and Sharon Hirsch open the doors to the Greater Buffalo Gymnastics Center over 15 years ago.