Vital community gym doomed unless it can find new home

By Barrie Hudson - 16 May 2023

Community

Swindon's much-loved Scrappers Gym must find a new home or close.

Scrappers Boxing Gym and Community Fitness Centre has until 30 June to find new premises.
It currently operates from part of the ground floor of Sensor House in Langley Road, Hillmead, but the landlord has served notice.
The gym is one of many community projects under the umbrella of Swindon Children's Scrapstore, whose head, Olivia McCann, is appealing for organisations and individuals to come forward if they can help to provide an alternative venue. She would also welcome information about any available council premises.
Olivia said: "Scrappers Boxing Gym and Community Fitness Centre is set up to benefit the local community.
"We run sessions for people aged eight to 14, sessions for people with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, sessions for people with disabilities and sessions for the general public.
"Anybody can come along and use the gym."
Last year saw 1,234 young people and 1,678 adults attend the volunteer-run sessions. Although the main focus is on boxing-related training and exercise, there is no obligation for users to box.
For some users, the gym has been a gateway to amateur boxing.
Olivia added: "It's not just about fitness - it's about teaching young people respect and improving people's mental health, which fitness can do a lot to help."
The current location has about 5,000sqft, but at current commercial rates, the gym will be unable to afford to move to similar-sized premises. 
Olivia said: "We're probably going to have to massively downsize because we have four rings.
"My focus is on making sure we can find somewhere where we can continue the sessions for young people, people with mental health issues and people with disabilities.
"No other gyms offer what we offer. We're unique because we're a community gym and not a commercial gym."
Anybody who can suggest a way to save the gym is asked to contact Olivia on 01793 513982, on 0773 902 3290 or via [email protected]
 

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