Aberdeenshire boxers could soon be punching above their weight after plans for a new centre in Kintore were recommended for approval.
Inverurie Boxing Club has grown quickly since it was established in 2017, attracting people of all ages and ability from communities throughout the region, including Blackburn, Strathdon, Westhill, Kemnay, Alford and Turriff.
But the organisation which currently operates out of Inverurie Academy’s gym hall, is now over capacity and there are lengthy waiting lists for all classes.
To address the issue, the club submitted a planning application last year to Aberdeenshire Council to transform a vacant building at Midmill Business Park in Kintore and transform it into a dedicated boxing centre.
The plans have now been recommended for approval by council officers, and elected members will make a decision at next week’s Garioch Area Committee.
The proposals received 21 letters of support from residents and current club users, who argued it would bring benefits to young people and adults alike through fitness, discipline, and community facilities.
Sarah Addison, the secretary of the club, said: “We are going to be absolutely delighted if we get our own premises.
“We are absolutely chock-a-block at the moment, we’re having to turn people away and tell them to wait until we are into our new premises all the time.
“It’s going to make a really big different to the area and we’ll be able to offer more classes, with different kinds of age groups, which will be better for everyone in the club.
“Right now, when we go in, we’ve got to take up precious time setting up the equipment and dismantling it afterwards, but with our new venue, it’ll just be a case of arrive, get a quick warm-up, and get right into it.”
Ms Addison added: “We’re really getting our name out there just now, in November we got Scottish Novice Champion, and we’ve also got Northern District Champion too.
“In Aberdeenshire, you have got ourselves and Insch, but in Aberdeen itself you’ve got around 10 or 11 boxing clubs – so we really want to help encourage more people to get into the sport in Aberdeenshire, and these new premises will really help with that.”