Boxing club needs new home
ENNISKERRY CLUB NO CLOSER TO SECURING PREMISES AS THEY SEND DAINA TO EUROS
ENNISKERRY Boxing Club is still looking for a permanent home, months after leaving their previous premises.
They had to vacate their previous clubhouse off the Dublin Road in February when it was sold. At that time, the Egan family stepped in to offer a short lease on a space at the Egan Centre on Dargle Road on a temporary basis. The club is no closer to finding a more permanent home with their four-month lease drawing to a close.
Eamonn Carr of Enniskerry Boxing club said that the club ultimately wants to use the Bog Meadow facility in Enniskerry, however they don’t know when that will be possible. Eamonn said that one of their members, Daina Moorehouse, will be representing Ireland at the European Youth Championships in Bulgaria this month. Daina is Leinster, All Ireland Cadets, All Ireland champion, and has represented Ireland and Leinster in Sweden, England and Germany. Another member, Cole Byrne, an All Ireland champion this year, was the youngest recipient of a Wicklow County Council Civic Award last May.
‘We have 60 members, many of whom are from disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds,’ said Eamonn. ‘ The club provides a healthy, secure and inclusive environment for young people in our community.’ The club has been working with the Enniskerry Forum to try to get a lease agreement for the Bog Meadow, sharing with other clubs, to secure their future.
‘We have grown increasingly frustrated that despite numerous communications with public representatives and both Bray and Wicklow County Councils there has been no answer forthcoming in relation to the lease or indeed any definite help in securing a suitable premises,’ said Eamonn.
The new season resumes at the end of August and the club said they can’t afford commercial rates despite extensive fundraising.
‘ The generosity of the Egan family allowed us to remain open and we ask that the County Council now steps in to ensure our talented youngsters can prosper.’
Cllr Steven Matthews of Bray Municipal District said that he hopes that the club can be accommodated in the Wicklow County Council owned Bog Meadow Community Centre. At the moment negotiations are underway to draw up a lease whereby the facility would be run by a community group. The matter has been with the law agent for some time. Other groups such as the Football club are currently using the facility. Cllr Matthews said that he hopes to see some progress on the matter soon. He pointed out that any club without a fixed address is not in a position to apply for grant aid.