A LONG-SERVING Lyndon boxing club facing eviction has been assured by Solihull council it will not be forced out until it has found a new home.
The club has also been recognised as one of the borough’s most respected sporting organisations.
Members at the Solihull Community Amateur Boxing Club based in the Summerfield Education Centre in Brackleys Way, Lyndon, are optimistic the club’s future is no longer in jeopardy.
Club bosses had feared it would be unable to afford the move to a new site after being told it needed to vacate its current facilities by July 31.
But the council has pledged its full support in finding a new suitable premises even after the deadline.
The club say the new site would need to fit the requirements for a boxing gym and remain in the Lyndon community.
In more good news for the club, it has been named Solihull Community Club of the Year at this year’s Sport Solihull Awards.
Paul Archer, head coach at the club, said: “So much has happened in such a short time.
“I had some sleepless nights but hopefully our club’s future is now secure and this award is the icing on the cake.”
In another development, the club – which has operated on an entirely voluntary basis since 1967 – has also been awarded charity status by the government’s Charity Commission – a body which regulates registered charities.
This recognises the club’s commitment to ‘public benefit’ and boosts the organisation’s reputation and management structure.
A club representative, Alan Green, said: “We are glad the importance of the club’s long term role in providing an opportunity for local people to participate in the sport of amateur boxing has been recognised.
“Following our search, the club has identified a vacant local premises which, subject to a positive survey report from the council, will be the club’s preferred new home.
“In a very positive undertaking, very much welcomed by the club, Solihull council has provided assurance we will not be required to close until its new home is available.”
As we reported in April, the club appealed to councillors for support in ensuring the club’s survival after discovering it was being evicted from its Brackleys Way site in March.
It also launched a petition entitled ‘Save Solihull Community Amateur Boxing Club’ which received over 1,000 signatures.
The club has over 50 members at any one time and chiefs say it has helped members conquer personal issues as well as promote young boxers onto a national and international platform.
