A youth boxing club that was forced to look for a new venue in March has found a new gym in North Omaha.
As agreed with the business owner at their former building near 26th and Leavenworth St. Jackson Boxing Club would have to move out of the building if a business wanted to lease the space. The club had a month to move.
In April, an anonymous donor helped the club rent a new 3,000 square foot space at 24th and Lake in North Omaha. The donor paid for three year's worth of rent. The club moved in within weeks.
"I don't know if it's because we're a nonprofit and free and it's good karma from God or what the deal is but we luck out at the last second all the time," said coach Chris Hardesty.
With the new gym came even more donations. Others donated a new ring, equipment, and flooring material.
"We couldn't ask for more. It's a great location, a huge gym, and everything's paid for so we're still able to train these kids for free," said Hardesty.
Hardesty said the donations and new gym is helping the club's mission to help teens stay out of trouble.
"Who knows where these kids would be if they weren't here in the gym. Who knows - some of them would definitely be out on the streets. I know that for sure. We get kids sent here from probation or stuff like that," said Hardesty. "But luckily we have good kids. A lot of good fighters. We have four to five kids ranked in the country right now."
The next boxing competition for the club will be at the end of the month in Kansas City.
