KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Gage Center owner Al Fong provided a response to KSHB 41 News after USA Gymnastics announced Wednesday it had terminated GAGE Center's membership, effective immediately, following ongoing allegations from the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
In a letter Wednesday to parents/guardians and athletes at the Blue Springs facility, USA Gymnastics wrote it was terminating GAGE Center's USAG Member Club status due to "ongoing allegations of non-compliance with Center for SafeSport suspensions and the SafeSport Code, despite being provided notice and opportunity to comply."
GAGE Center co-founders Al Fong and Armine Barutyan-Fong were suspended in December 2025 by the U.S. Center for SafeSport after receiving allegations of physical and emotional misconduct. According to the USA Gymnastics letter, Al Fong's suspension was for five years and Barutyan-Fong's suspension was for one year.
Following the pair's suspension, GAGE Center designated Karla Grimes as the new club owner. Grimes was then subsequently suspended by SafeSport on Feb. 12.
Following Grimes' suspension, Tiffany Davenport was designated as club owner. On Feb. 18, Davenport was suspended by SafeSport.
Fong stated in a letter to parents with children at the center that "GAGE is not closing."
He said recreational classes will continue, along with Bump City activities.
"Your child’s experience here stays steady," Fong wrote. "You may see conversations online or hear bits of information about organizational matters connected to the competitive side of gymnastics. We understand that can feel unsettling, especially when it involves something your child loves. But for your family, the day-to-day rhythm remains the same — familiar coaches, structured classes, and a space where kids can move, grow, and have fun."
LINK | SafeSport issues temporary suspensions for 2 GAGE employees
With GAGE's member club status terminated, any athletes training at the center will be ineligible to compete in USAG-sanctioned events as of March 2 until they register with a new USAG member club in good standing.
"We understand this news is concerning for you and your athlete," Wednesday's letter said. "USA Gymnastics values every athlete's participation in our sport and does not take membership termination actions lightly."
Information regarding the suspensions of the four people associated with GAGE Center is available online.
According to Wednesday's letter, the four cannot be involved with USAG member clubs, USAG events and activities involving USAG members, participate in training, travel, lodging or treatment related to USAG activities and events, enter any facility where USAG club activities are happening, train or coach USAG member athletes or be spectators at a meet inside a USA Gymnastics member club.
Fong's response Thursday ended with a statement about keeping the center going.
"We know trust is built through consistency, and that’s exactly what we’re committed to right now — showing up, keeping programs running smoothly, and caring for the community that has grown here over so many years," Fong wrote. "If you’ve been part of GAGE or Bump City for any length of time, you already know what matters here — consistency, care, and kids first. Thank you for being part of this community."
This is a developing story and may be updated.
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