The Yard Strives To Revamp USA Weightlifting

may be located in an office building in Palm Desert, but its owner has dreams to make the Coachella Valley a mecca for Olympic weightlifting.

“We have a goal of really making this the weightlifting capital of the country,’’ Frasca said. “We’re being very inclusive of everybody. We’re at the precipice. We’re at a great spot.”

Frasca said he did not start The Yard as a business, but as part of his passion to revamp USA Olympic weightlifting and train local athletes.

The Palm Desert Planning Commission recently awarded the gym a conditional use permit, and Frasca is in the process of applying for a business license.

Frasca recently put in a bid to host the American Open Weightlifting Championship at the Palm Springs Convention Center, but his main focus is on training local athletes.

“We need to grow this sport,’’ he said, adding that there are no feeders into Olympic weightlifting from local high schools or middle schools.

He hopes to give students a chance to reach for a gold medal through the gym.

“Team Yard” recently placed third in the overall team rankings in the 2011 National School Age Weightlifting Championships in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

And one of the team’s members, Palm Desert High School grad Anthony Pomponio, placed fifth in his 85 kilo (187 pound) weight class at a national competition in Iowa.