Ludlow boxing club's new HQ is a knockout
A new £65,000 boxing club which has opened to the public after three years of fundraising has been hailed as a "fantastic" boost for the community.
Ludlow Amateur Boxing Club's new headquarters in Wheeler Road will act as a focal point for community activities in the area, according to the town's mayor Councillor Paul Draper.
Young people will also be able to use the facilities to "channel their energies into something positive", according to Ludlow MP Philip Dunne.
The new building has replaced old premises on the site which were pulled down in 2011, and local people have been praised for their efforts raising the funds to make it a reality.
An official opening ceremony was held on Friday night and members of the club welcomed the public to look around the building at an open afternoon on Saturday.
Boxers in the area used temporary premises on Ludlow Business Park and the Rockspring Centre during the wait for the new club to be built.
Mr Draper said: "It's an absolutely fantastic thing for the area and the community, and it's not just a boxing club, it's also a community room. Members of the boxing club have worked hard fundraising, and lots of businesses have been great supporters, donating materials and labour or financially."
He said it was an example of what could be achieved by the town council working alongside volunteers and others such as Total Response property maintenance, South Shropshire Housing Association and Shropshire Council.
"But the project is really down to (project founders) Colin Richards and Pc Tony Sewell (chair of the club)," he said. "And former town clerk Veronica Calderbank was instrumental in getting it started too.
"It's just a wonderful thing for the youngsters and Ludlow Amateur Boxing Club is a great organisation," he added.
New facilities at the club include a boxing ring, unisex-disabled access changing rooms, a kitchen and adult shower facilities, as well as a community room for groups and families to use.
Mr Dunne, who supported the club in its fundraising, said: "I'm delighted young boxers will have this facility, to help young people in Ludlow channel their energies into something positive."
Organisations involved in building the new facilities have compiled a thank-you board which will hang in the entrance to the building, to celebrate those who supported the project.
