AUGUSTA — Delani Evans expects business as usual this fall at Maine-Ly Gymnastics, an Augusta business she recently purchased from longtime owners Michael and Becky Doherty.

Evans, 26, is a former state and regional gymnastics champion who has been teaching the sport since she was a youngster at Decal Gymnastics, a business located in Waterville and Farmington owned by her mother Carol.

She plans to move much of that staff to Maine-Ly Gymnastics in Augusta and to expand the hours at the Riverside Drive location.

“We’re working on a schedule right now,” Evans said. “Most of the hours are going to stay the same but we hope to add to it.”

Evans said she hopes to stay open Monday through Saturday and has also asked Michael Doherty to stay on as an instructor.

“I would love him to,” Evans said. “The program he runs there is amazing. We’re going to try to keep it close to how its previously been run and possibly incorporate our team into it.”

Decal Gymnastics has been active in team competition over the years and has hosted a number of state and regional events. Doherty said he would like to continue coaching but has yet to work out how and when.

“I’ll miss the kids and teaching,” he said. “Delani told me I’m welcomed back anytime I want. I’ll be helping out part time.”

The Dohertys started the business in 1984 and operated it out of Pegasus Fitness on the Leighton Road for a year. They moved to Cony Road and stayed there for a year before buying the building where it’s currently located. Since then they built an addition bringing the size of the building to 100×75 feet.

“The facility is really amazing for central Maine gymnastics,” Evans said.

Evans said she will concentrate on running Maine-Ly Gymnastics for now but would eventually like to purchase her mother’s business as well. After moving to Arizona and teaching gymnastics for a few months, Evans returned to Maine in January and approached the Dohertys about selling the business.

“I’ve been teaching for 44 years,” said Doherty, who decline to disclose the purchase price. “It’s time to pass it along. The business has done what it needed to do for me.

“We’ve dealt with thousands of kids over the years. We’re happy to see Delani keeping the business name.”

Gary Hawkins — 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com