By Pete Borello
After nearly a month of negotiations, Gold Star Gymnastics Academy in Mountain View has a new owner.
Pam Evans took over ownership on May 16 from Cynthia Zirpolo, who opened the business five years ago.
Zirpolo said selling Gold Star was “a very sad decision,” but a necessary one.
“It’s a great business, but my personal life is spread way too thin,” the Los Altos resident said. “My children are older and require a lot more time. We’re open seven days a week and there’s not enough time to do both.”
However, Zirpolo said she’s leaving Gold Star in good hands.
“Pam has a phenomenal background for this job,” she said.
Evans, who grew up in Atherton, said she’s been involved with gymnastics for 30 years. She took up the sport as a child, training at Gymnastics West in Palo Alto. Evans became a club gymnastics coach in high school, then choreographed floor and balance beam routines for a club in Minnesota, where she was attending college. After college, she managed a gymnastics club in Chicago for two years and taught dance as well.
A few years later, in what she called “the crowning glory” of her coaching career, Evans started a boys team at a gymnastics club in Texas. In its second year, she guided the team to the Class 7 state championship.
Evans has since earned a Ph.D. in dance and is currently a full-time dance teacher at Sequoia High in Redwood City.
Evans, a new mom, and her husband Herb, a software engineer, will now focus their attention on Gold Star.
“It’s going to be a lot of work, but we’re ready for it,” Pam said.
The Sunnyvale residents plan on keeping the staff, though Pam said a few coaches “have left for personal reasons.” Li Lu, who won both a gold and silver medal for China at the 1992 Olympics, is remaining at Gold Star.
Pam said she doesn’t expect to make “any major overhauls” at the academy. “I want to maintain the high standard of teaching that’s in place,” she said. It’s such a wonderful, human atmosphere there. I like that it’s so kid-friendly and embraces all skill levels and interests.”
Gold Star, located at 92 W. El Camino Real, can be reached by phone at 694-STAR.
