Council grants 20-year lease for new Athlone Boxing Club site
Westmeath County Council last week approved a 20-year lease to Athlone Boxing Club for a plot of land, close to Athlone Regional Sports Centre, which is the site of the club's planned new purpose-built premises.
For the last 18 years the boxing club has been situated in the basement of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul.
Earlier this year it was granted planning approval for a new premises that would be situated on council-owned land between Athlone Regional Sports Centre and the Athlone Town FC stadium.
At last week's monthly meeting of Westmeath County Council, CEO Barry Kehoe recommended granting the club a 20-year lease on a plot of land of approximately 0.199 acres at Curragh, Brawny Road, Athlone.
"Athlone Boxing Club have approached the council seeking to lease a plot of land to provide a permanent home for their club, to include an indoor arena, equipment storage areas, toilets and changing facilities for disabled persons, as well as other ancillary facilities," wrote Mr Kehoe, in a message to the elected members.
"Athlone Boxing Club, affiliated to the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA), was established in 2007 as a not-for-profit voluntary organisation to provide young people with opportunities to train for the sport of boxing and to enhance their confidence, self-esteem, team-working, discipline and friendships."
He noted that the site for the club's development was "beside the proposed location for the Athlone Squash Club" and said a 20-year lease was being proposed in order to allow the club "apply for funding from various sources such as the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF), formerly known as the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP)."
Mr Kehoe said "in recognition of the valuable contribution that Athlone Boxing Club makes to the community of Athlone" it was proposed that the site would be leased by the council for a nominal rent of €100 per year.
The granting of the lease was unanimously approved by the members at last week's council meeting.
Speaking afterwards, Cllr John Dolan said this was a step in the right direction.
"I'm delighted because this is something that myself and Cllr Aengus O'Rourke have been working on for some time," said Cllr Dolan.
"Athlone Boxing Club is doing good work in the community and it was important to get this lease in place to give the club an opportunity to develop a new premises."
He acknowledged, however, that this was only the beginning of the development process and that securing the necessary funding to deliver the project would be key.
"There's a long road ahead but we'll be doing whatever we can to help the club secure the funding that it needs for this project. We won't be found wanting in that regard," he said.
The club's current base, beneath the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, lacks a number of essential facilities including changing rooms and toilets.