The specialised equipment was purchased through a council grant on the condition that it was to be used at the council owned Mittagong Recreation Centre, where Mittagong Gymnastics was originally operating.

After a series of problems with the location, on February 28 Mittagong Gymnastics director Amelia Jimenez relocated to the privately owned Monterary Centre, taking the Tangara equipment with her.

She said her intention was to borrow the equipment until they could build more of their own.

But council reported her actions to the police and reclaimed the equipment on Monday.

“The tragedy of the situation is our students are the ones that suffer,” Tangara principal Tom Bowen said.

Full story SHN Friday, March 21.