The Revelstoke Boxing Club has a new home inside the old snowmobile clubhouse in the industrial park.
The boxing club has been looking for a new home ever since the Revelstoke School District decided it would demolish the Mount Begbie Elementary gym later this year.
The club asked the city if they could move into the Century Vallen building, but that request was turned down.
After some discussions, the city will be leasing them the old snowmobile clubhouse at 1495A Powerhouse Road for only $1 for a one-year term starting September 1. A city hall report that’s going to council says the club will be responsible for any upgrades and repairs they undertake, and they will also be responsible for utility costs and maintaining the property.
The move means the boxing club will have to downgrade a bit, but coach Sam LeRose is just happy they have a new home.
“It’s going to take a little bit of work,” he said. “We’re not going to have the facility we had but it’s better than nothing.”
The move means the club won’t be able to set up its full-size boxing ring. They’ll bring over most of their punching bags and other training equipment, and will set up a smaller sparring area.
“If we can come up with some donations, we can add on to the back end of that building to give us an extra 200 square feet of use,” said LeRose.
He said the club worked in smaller spaces before it was able to rent out the old school gymnasiums — first at Big Eddy Elementary and then at Mount Begbie Elementary.
He said the smaller space shouldn’t affect the ability of the club’s boxers to compete.
“Revelstoke’s always had a winning record and we’ll still have a winning record,” he said.
The club expects to be operational in the new space in early September and is encouraging people to come down once classes start up again.
LeRose thanked the school district for its support over the years and the city for working to find them a new space.
Find out more about the club on its Facebook page, or by calling 250-814-9235 or 250-837-1195.