‘Boxing clubs are renowned for their ability to change lives, particularly for young people’
(L-R) Ben Wright, Property Activation Fund Project Coordinator; Phil Jones, Chair of Goole Town Deal; Andrew Horncastle, MBE, Chair of Trustees for GABC; Richard Longthorp OBE (front, boxing gloves), Trustee of GABC; Daniel
Bower of LHL Group, which is project managing the construction work; Nick Coultish (front, boxing gloves) Conservative Councillor for Goole North, and Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, and Tourism; James Cooper, site manager at Thompson Construction (Yorkshire) Ltd, Renetta Edwards, Trustee and Head Coach GABC; and Kelly Wood, Trustee and treasurer at GABC.(Image: Supplied)
Work has started on a major project to refurbish and expand Goole Amateur Boxing Club (GABC). The six-figure project aims to secure the long-term future of the popular facility and increase capacity to accommodate more members.
It includes the purchase of the gym’s current building on Boothferry Road and the next-door building – a former EE mobile phone shop. The buildings will be combined to create a larger training area, along with a mess room, reception area and new facilities.
The project is due to be completed in December this year. Andrew Horncastle MBE, Chair of Trustees for GABC, welcomed the start of the work, which is being carried out by Thompson Construction (Yorkshire) Ltd.
He said: “Goole Amateur Boxing Club is a huge success story, providing people with a place to train, but also a community. Boxing clubs are renowned for their ability to change lives, particularly for young people, and GABC is a prime example of that.
“However, the club has been a victim of its own success with a waiting list of people wanting to join and not enough space to accommodate them. That’s why we’re so keen to get this project moving – to grow the gym and help our fantastic coaches and volunteers shape and change more lives.”
Mr Horncastle added for the project to be fully realised, a significant sum of money still needed to be raised. As a result, he is appealing to local businesses to donate.
He continued: “Although work has got underway, we still need to raise a further £225,000 to pay towards the refurbishment. So, I would dearly like to see local businesses invest in GABC.
“By doing that, they are investing in young people, and that means they are investing in their future workforce. Ensuring the boxing club has a long-term future is one of the most cost-effective ways of doing that.”
Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “This is great for Goole town centre and the community. The club has shown it is both wanted and needed and this investment demonstrates what can be achieved with the passion and determination of the Trustees, volunteers and club members.”
Nick Coultish, Conservative Councillor for Goole North and Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, and Tourism, said: “I am delighted that the club chose to stay in the town centre and expand into the neighbouring empty property, a real win all round as every town centre looks to adapt and find new uses for empty high street properties.” Phil Jones, Chair of Goole Town Deal – a body aimed at driving the sustainable economic regeneration of Goole – said the work would see GABC go from strength to strength.
He said: “GABC has been fantastic for the town. It has had a positive impact on antisocial behaviour in the town centre, it welcomes everyone regardless of age, nationality or gender, and it is having a positive impact on the health and lives of the people who train there.
“Its location also means it sits in the centre of the new £3.1m Public Realm project currently being delivered alongside the investments in the Market Hall, Victoria Pleasure Ground, and the new Leisure Centre. Together, these facilities aim to refresh how the town centre looks and feels, as well as providing public venues and spaces that can be enjoyed and put people back at the heart of the town centre.”
The project is being brought forward in collaboration with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Goole Town Council, and the Goole Town Deal via the Property Activation Fund. To donate, visit www.gooleboxingclub.org/fundraising