East Lothian Boxing Club, which was founded in 2009, found itself homeless and at risk of folding, despite scooping national awards.
Now a long-term lease has been secured for the free use of a large gym space at Joe’s Gym, a new community centre on Haddington’s Hospital Road.
Callum Colquhoun, who has been involved with the boxing club since the beginning, chairs the club’s committee.
He was delighted to see the group fighting back and said: “I resigned myself to the fact, probably about four years ago, that it was not going to happen.
“Obviously, as a community warden, I used to work quite closely with the police.
“They said ‘can we not get something started?’ but finding premises was always going to be difficult and we had been trying for years.
“The Courier wrote an article in 2023 and it was that that article that got us to where we are now.
“I have never seen so much excitement – there is more excitement than the last time, I think because we have got a lot of stability.
“We know we are secure for at least 15 years and, in 15 years’ time, hopefully, we have built that legacy to keep it going.
“As long as there are coaches and members, we will keep it going.”
The club will run classes throughout the week, catering for a range of different ages interested in boxing and fitness.
Trial sessions since a ‘soft launch’ in January have already seen sell-out attendances.
After securing the space in January, the club has worked tirelessly with the generous support of friends, sponsors and scores of volunteers from across the community to transform the space into a community gym.
The new space includes a main boxing hall, with a full-scale ring on a large mezzanine, and additional studio facilities for other classes.
Heading up the boxing programme will be Keith Colgan, who will be joined by former professional boxer Iain Trotter.
They will lead a team of 10 volunteer coaches who will run classes throughout the week, including fitness classes, classes for youngsters and special sessions for women.
Mr Trotter was looking forward to the official opening.
He said: “I am absolutely buzzing now.
“It has been a long time coming, to be honest.
“It changed my life – all for the better.”
Founded more than 15 years ago by members of the local community, East Lothian Boxing Club became the home of boxing in Haddington.
It rose to prominence in the national boxing community, developing both amateur and professional champions, and having a positive impact on the young people of the town.
The club also won Club of the Year at the Amateur Boxing Scotland Awards in 2013.
However, the club was forced to close its doors in 2018 after struggling to find suitable premises.
Joe’s Gym has been named in memory of Joe Forte, a keen sportsman who was also a stalwart of different community groups in the town.
Joe’s Gym is part of a community centre supported by The Haddington Community Interest Company.
In addition to East Lothian Boxing Club, Joe’s Gym will also be home to the East Lothian Mums Club, a non-profit supporting women and young mothers in the community.
Doors open at Friday’s launch event at 3pm; the official opening takes place at 5pm.