Kokoro Judo Club members proudly showed off their new dojo in the former Pfanner building in 100 Mile House Oct. 15.
A day-long open house and grand opening of the new digs featured practices and demos, with club head coach Ian Briggs and Team BC provincial coach Aline Strasdin, 5th Dan, from Prince George.
The club formerly practised in an area next to the Bowling Alley, but Briggs says their bright new facility, with its sprung floor, serves them better.
“We’re happy to be here. We smile every time we come in here.”
The new space provides them with 1,200-square-feet (111.5 square metres) of mat area, changing rooms and washrooms.
Briggs says it’s a perfect facility for the club, which currently enrolls close to 40 youths and between 10 and 15 adults.
He anticipates a busy year for members, with BC Winter Games expected to involve up to four of his students. Briggs has been chosen to be the Zone 8 judo team coach for the games that take place Feb. 23-26 in Vernon.
Tryouts for Team BC are also on the horizon, with the possibility of competing at nationals.
Strasdin says the Kokoro Club has a few good prospects who should be able to qualify.
“The kids here are very enthusiastic and they have strong basics. Technique is good and they have positive attitudes.”
One of the prospects is Ali Briggs who recently competed at the Quebec Open judo tournament in Montreal, placing fifth in the 52-kilogram U20 division and seventh in the senior category.
Coach Briggs says these are great results.
“She’s been consistently in the top 5 on the national level over the last few years.”
Ali will go on to compete at the Ontario Open in November, and teammate Stephanie Salzbrenner will travel to Seattle for the Continental Judo Crown.
