Mid-Columbia Gymnastics Academy opened its doors in December 1986. Later this year, it hopes to open the doors on a second location in Pasco. 

The gym began as a parent-owned facility, but Len and Kami Softich took over with partners in 1990 and have been co-owners for more than a decade. 

MCGA is one of the oldest and largest gyms in the state, but the Softiches say they have outgrown their current capacity. 

The couple are all in on gymnastics and a new facility after selling their competitive cheerleading business a couple years ago. 

“We’ve taught a lot of kids for a lot of years,” Kami said. “We have been very full since the pandemic, and it’s hard for us because we don’t want to turn kids away.” 

New Pasco gym 

MCGA enrolls more than 1,300 students at its 18,000-square-foot gym at 1523 Fowler St. in Richland. The plan is to keep operations going in Richland while expanding and diversifying in Pasco. 

“Our Pasco location will be primarily recreational and lower-level XCEL kids competing,” said Len. “Pasco is expanding so it seemed to be a no-brainer.” 

XCEL is a year-round program where gymnasts compete in three to five meets per season.

The Pasco gym will include an outside fenced-in playground area, as well as an indoor playground for birthday parties. Over the years, MCGA has added more class times to accommodate demand rather than booking birthday parties.  

“Because of how busy we are here,” Kami said, “we are limited by how much we can diversify.” 

The Pasco gym will be on the west side of Convention Drive, north of the Burden Boulevard intersection and next door to Fairchild Cinemas. It'll be called Mid-Columbia Gymnastics Pasco. 

The new $1.8 million gym will be 14,400 square feet with 120 parking stalls. “We’re hoping in a couple years to expand it out to be a 20,000-square-foot facility,” Len said. 

The couple said they were looking to expand in either Kennewick’s Southridge area or Pasco.  

Their corporation, L and K Softich LLC, bought 2.5 acres of undeveloped land for the gym in September 2022 for $750,000, according to Franklin County Assessor property records. 

A dream team 

Since October 2022 when planning began in earnest, the Softiches have learned a lot about the world of development and, much like their own team of trainers, to rely on the power of a team. 

“We’re not developers,” Len said, “so there was a bit of a learning curve.” 

From contractors, engineers and architects, the Sofiches pieced together 11 experts to develop the new facility.  

LPR Architecture of Kennewick is the architect. 

Hummel Construction of Richland is the general contractor. 

“We feel really comfortable now because we have that team of experts surrounding us,” Len said. The plan is to break ground in May and open in October or November, pending any setbacks.  

Kami, a graduate of Richland High, and Len, who found his way to the Tri-Cities from Montana, are looking forward to expanding the gymnastics family in the Tri-Cities. 

“It offers up the ability for more upward mobility for our current staff members,” Len said. 

“What you see is what you get,” Kami said. “We really care about the kids, so I think it always comes back to the kids. That carries into the employees we bring in, so it really all trickles down from there to our students.” 

Go to: mcga.org.