East Lothian Boxing Club was floored after struggling to find premises having previously been based off Haddington’s Mill Wynd.
Now, the club, which produced local and national champions, is getting ready to open its doors once again after securing premises for at least the next decade at Joe’s Gym and community centre on the town’s Hospital Road.
The club has been granted free use of the facility by non-profit The Haddington Community Interest Company.
Gregor McMillan, chairman of The Haddington CIC, said: “The company is delighted to support East Lothian Boxing Club’s re-opening in Haddington, and excited to see the positive impact the club will again have on our town.
“We have worked closely with the club since we first saw their search for premises reported in the Courier in November 2023, and we’ve been grateful for the hard work and trust of East Lothian Boxing Club, as well as the volunteers and coaches who have stepped-up to help get this project going.
“We look forward to opening our doors to the town later this year, and to hearing from other folks who might be able to put Joe’s Gym to good use in the coming months and years.
“If you have an idea, please just give us a call. We’re here to help.”
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The CIC was established to maintain high-quality sport and multi-use facilities for low cost or free use, and offer these facilities to a wide range of organisations that support the community, particularly those that help children, young people, or individuals deemed to be vulnerable or otherwise “at risk”.
Currently, planning approvals are being sought and it is hoped that people could be stepping between the ropes by this Autumn.
Renovations works are being managed by volunteers from the boxing club and around Haddington.
The gym is to be opened in memory of local sportsman Joe Forte, who ran Joe Forte Sports before his retirement in 2021.
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Sadly, Mr Forte, who was a keen runner and footballer, passed away last year.
The club was previously named Club of the Year at the Amateur Boxing Scotland Awards in 2013.
Among those to have come through the ranks at the club is Iain Trotter, who will be involved in coaching at the club.
The Haddington boxer turned professional in the spring of 2017 and won his first five fights before missing out on the Scottish Area Middleweight title in front of a packed SSE Hydro in Glasgow.
The new premises (Image: Gordon Bell)He welcomed the club’s new lease of life and said: “I have got my own business now and, in all honesty, I would not have anything to do with it now without boxing.
“The things it teaches you, I don’t want it to just open for boxers but the community.
“What it brings to young boys and young girls, it is hard to put it into words what it has done for me.
“Discipline, dedication and dealing with tribulations but it also brings you confidence.”
Anyone keen to find out more about the plans for the boxing club, should contact 07778 126 755.