RFC NEW LOCATION FUND
In 1981, Anthony "Buckie" Leach, national women’s foil coach, started the Rochester Fencing Centre in a building on Pleasant Street in downtown Rochester. Ten years later, Buckie's program grew and he moved the club to 777 Culver Road, where it has been located......(drum roll)....UNTIL NOW!
We are happy to announce that after nearly 24 years, one name change, and different owners, the Rochester Fencing Club will be moving to its new location at 3335 Brighton Henrietta Town Line Road on November 1, 2015!
Felicia and I bought the club in 2009 from Sue Clinton. For many years we have been dreaming about a better space, but didn't think that this day would ever come. Over the last six years we have made numerous personal and financial sacrifices to lift RFC forward. What keeps us going? So glad you asked.
Felicia and I have so many positive (as well as tough) memories of time spent within the walls of 777 Culver Road; we became champions and Olympians on those slippery fencing strips. We also made lifelong friends who were a crucial part of those very high and very low moments in our formidable years. We strive to bring all those good feelings from our teammates, friends, Sue Clinton, and others to each day, each kid, each adult, each member, anyone that walks through the doors.
We are poised for growth and will continue to provide a safe, fun, and inspiring place for even more in our community. Every year we graduate our seniors to collegiate fencing programs and club teams while encouraging them to continue their passion for fencing. Last year we started a successful homeschool program for children from age 4 to 17 and even their parents got involved! We also started a Knights and Ninjas summer camp that combined karate, fencing, and archery. For the 2015-2016 season, we promoted David Taylor to Head Coach of Programs and we are off to a great start with many finalists and medals in September (although we know it isn't all about medals). Also new this year is a gym program at a private Catholic school, St. John Bosco/Chesterton Academy, and our "Road to Rio" free demo and assembly program is getting the word out about the Olympic sport of fencing.
(Check our new building pics below!)
Our new space will make many new programs feasible and we’re excited about all of the possibilities Wheelchair fencing, taught by Coach Semion Kiriakidi, will finally have a home within the club and not at an offsite accessible facility. Additional daytime and after school programs are being discussed and only time will tell what more we can offer to the Rochester community in the next 24 years.
So, this is where we ask you to be a part of something bigger than me and Felicia. We are inviting you to be a part of the Rochester Fencing Club's future by contributing to the buildout of the new location (pictures of the new building and construction to be posted on Instagram and Facebook ).
We have created a "wish list" of items most in need. We are hoping to outfit 12 new strips with snap together sport court, reels, machines, floor cords, and lights. Anyone who donates $50 and above will receive a name plaque on our NEW lobby wall. We will put YOUR NAME on a fencing strip if you donate $4,000 and above. We will even let you choose which strip!
Thank you in advance for helping us continue the legacy of Rochester Fencing Club and we want EVERYONE to DRIVE ON WITH THE MISSION (copyright...former RFC teammate, Julianna Sikes pictured below with Sue Clinton)! 
With many thanks and lunges of gratitude!
--Iris and Felicia Zimmermann
