Hoteliers refuse to let boxers be counted out
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A FORRES sports club struck by a knockout blow from its governing body, has been handed a lifeline by a neighbouring venue, following a story in the ‘Gazette’.
The Lochside club was told by Amateur Boxing Scotland (ABS) that they could no longer be affiliated and participate in any future events if they did not provide male and female toilet and changing facilities at their Caroline Street gym. The club seemed down and out for the count - unable to meet the demands and with no available space at the small venue, or funds available to rent a new meeting place.
However, after seeing the story in the ‘Gazette’, the owners of the Carlton Hotel have offered the use of their facilities, just a short reach from the club gym.
Male and female toilets, changing and shower facilities are now available to club members on the first floor of the hotel free of charge.
"Lochside Amateur Boxing Club are very much a part of the Forres Community and we wanted to help them after reading about their dilemma," said Carlton owner Dave Chambers. "Our hotel rooms all have their own toilets, so the facilities on our first floor wouldn’t be used by guests anyway."
He added: "We want to help Lochside keep providing an activity for the youth of Forres, which helps to keep kids off the streets. It would have been a shame for them and the whole of Forres if the club had to close."
Having complied with the new ABS regulations, Lochside ABC will be reapplying to ABS for affiliation when the boxing season starts in November, allowing it to carry on producing national and international boxing talent.
"I’m delighted to say the least," said head coach Bill Muircroft. "It’s remarkable when an individual like Dave comes along and offers this type of help."
Read the full story in this week’s print edition of the ‘Gazette’.
