On Sunday March 1st, there was an explosion involving lithium-ion battery materials in the unit beside the Cheer Sport Sharks Calgary facility.

At the time, athletes were inside the gym training when a loud explosion was heard, followed by smoke filling the building. Everyone was quickly and safely evacuated, but the aftermath has left the cheer community shaken.

The gym that close to 300 athletes call their second home has been heavily impacted by smoke damage, causing the program to be displaced and in search of a new location.

For these athletes, this gym is more than just a training facility. It is a place where friendships are built, confidence grows, and kids come together to support one another doing what they love.

At the heart of this community is Nailah who has built something truly special. She has created a space where so many kids feel safe, supported, and like they belong. For many families, this gym has become a second home. What Nailah has built can never be taken away. She has created an incredible community that means so much to so many families.

Families, athletes, and coaches are now facing an unexpected and incredibly difficult moment as this community works to navigate what comes next during a crucial time in the season. Nailah is one of the strongest and most dedicated people we know, and the love surrounding this gym is a reflection of the amazing person she is.

This fundraiser has been created to support Nailah and the cheer community she has built during this incredibly challenging time. Many athletes lost items in the fire and the gym equipment has been deemed unusable. Any support, whether through donating or sharing, means so much to the athletes, families, and coaches who have poured their hearts into this gym.

This community has truly come together during this time and shown that as Nailah says, it really is about more than just cheerleading.

Thank you, Sharks Nation, for helping support this amazing community.