After many years of being at the hands of the elements and frequently suffering from a leaking roof, Ogmore Valley Dragons Boxing Club is fighting fit for at least another 25 years after receiving funding which means the new roof is finally complete and watertight.
The Club, which sees more than 90 people through its doors on Bethania Row each week, has been working hard since 2013 to raise money to pay for a new roof. But with costs increasing, the Club has had to make do with undertaking repairs on a piecemeal basis.
Ogmore Valley Dragons Boxing Club Head Coach, Dean Morgan, explains:
“We all know how much the rain is felt across the Valleys but sadly we’ve been feeling it in the boxing gym too!
“It feels like the past few years have thrown us a few blows and with the roof leaking frequently it meant that we had to scale back sessions, mostly the classes for youngsters, which has been less than ideal.”
The £7,000 funding was secured from the Pennant Walters community fund which is linked to the construction of the new, standalone, Pant y Wal Wind Extension Farm, adjacent to Ogwr Valley.
Dean continued:
“This money has been a lifeline for us and has meant that we’ve been able to complete the work to repair the roof fully. This means that we won’t have to endure these issues for at least another 25 years, which is fantastic.
So many people within the local community – and further afield – rely on sports clubs like ours and it pained us to cancel sessions due to the weather.
“Now that the work is complete it’s given us a new lease of life. As a coaching team we’re chomping at the bit to offer a full schedule of classes that we know we can put on. I am so glad that come the autumn we won’t be worried about the rain and everyone that uses the boxing club can benefit for many years to come.”
Pennant Walters Managing Director Dale Hart said:
“We know firsthand the impact that clubs like this have in local communities and are delighted that we’ve been able to help secure the future.
“Dean and the team put their hearts and souls into offering opportunities for so many people and continue to work hard to build the club further.
“Our wind energy projects come with community funds that we use to invest in projects such as this and our aim is to bring very real benefits to the communities in the vicinity of our projects, providing financial assistance and expertise where we can.”
Picture caption: L-R Ogmore Valley Dragons Boxing Club Head Coach, Dean Morgan with Pennant Walters operations manager, Harry Llewellyn, and some of the youngsters who attend the club each week