Another Mullingar boxing club looking for a new home
The founder of a Mullingar boxing club that boasts two current Irish internationals among its ranks says that it will have to close its doors permanently unless it can find a new home in the coming months.
Over the last four years Elite Boxing Club's young members have amassed numerous national and provincial titles, success that has earned two of its current members Jack Conroy and Mary Kate Nevin international recognition.
However, the thriving sporting club's future is under threat, according to founder and head coach Tony Conroy, unless it can find a new home before the lease on its current Lough Sheever base comes to an end in November.
The main obstacle to Elite finding a new home, Mr Conroy says, are the current “sky high rents” for sutiable premises in Mullingar. The club are being quoted between €1,000 and €1,200, more than double what they are currently paying.
Unless the club, which has around 100 members, can find a home with a more manageable rent, Mr Conroy fears that it will have to close before the end of the year.
“We are panicking now. We have been to see councillors and gone every route but there just doesn't seem to be anyone who can do something for us. Rents on buildings have gone sky high and we can't afford what we are being asked for.
“I don't know what we are going doing. In the last four years we have had 13 Irish, eight Leinster and 28 county champions. It would be a shame to see all of these kids have to give up the sport because they have no where else to train. The other club in Mullingar, Olympic Boxing Club, wouldn't be able to take them as they are full.”
Elite BC also holds classes in conjunction with a number of local organisations, including Mullingar Resource Centre and Westmeath Sports Partnership, as well as running classes for adults.
“It's a community club. Lots of people love the classes. Everyone are friends and they all get on. A lot of kids wouldn't get to travel if it wasn't for Elite. We went to Denmark last year and we are always travelling around the coutnry. There's great camaraderie hear, it would be such a shame if we have to close.”
Co-incidentally, Mullingar's other boxing club, the Columb Barracks based Olympic BC, also faces an uncertain future due to the imminent sale of former military facility. Although both clubs have formed in recent years, they have already established themselves as two of the most successful in Leinster and the friendly rivalry that exists spurs their young fighters on, Mr Conorty says.
“A lot of our kids wouldn't get to travel if it wasn't for Elite. We went to Denmark last year and we are always travelling around the country. There's great camaraderie hear, it would be such a shame if we have to close.”