Hundreds more people could soon benefit from greater access to grassroots sport to improve their health and wellbeing if a planned expansion of a popular boxing club is supported by councillors.

Westway Boxing Club in the Eastfield neighbourhood of Scarborough is facing “time‑critical” cost pressures and requires £350,000 in funding for a proposed scheme to expand the community venue.

A private developer has already covered the first £350,000 for the design, planning work and initial capital contribution to extend the facility.

It is hoped that the proposed expansion would almost double the club’s footfall from around 300 to 500 people enabling a safe, positive place to build confidence, discipline and life skills through sport.

The club has secured a quote of £700,000 for the planned construction work, but it is only guaranteed until the end of this month (June). All other quotes received are more than £1 million meaning delays could significantly increase costs. In addition, planning permission requires work to begin before January 30, 2027.

Members of North Yorkshire Council’s executive will meet later this month (Tuesday, June 16) to discuss allocating the £350,000 shortfall to fund the project.

The authority’s executive member for corporate services, Cllr Heather Phillips, whose responsibilities include stronger communities, said: “Westway Boxing Club has always been described as a valuable and long-standing community asset with a proven track record of delivering positive outcomes.

“It is a popular and much-loved facility and over the years has provided a safe and positive space for users of all ages.

“We will carefully consider the funding request when members of the executive meets later this month.”

In December last year, North Yorkshire Council gave Eastfield community groups 15 months to agree on a single plan for how £3.2 million in regeneration funding should be used.

This funding request is an exception to the council’s previous decision that money from the £3.2 million reserve would only be allocated after a community‑led investment plan is developed through the Town Investment Plan (TIP) process.

The boxing club’s expansion plans include a main training hall with a full-sized boxing ring, extra gym space, changing rooms and toilets, a café area as well as new classrooms and spaces for storage.

Consultation during the planning process led to 44 supportive comments from the community.

North Yorkshire Council’s elected member for the Eastfield division, Cllr Tom Seston, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity to back a grassroots organisation that’s making a real difference. Over the years the club has been home for so many young people, men and women who have found strength, discipline, purpose and friendship through boxing.

“The planned extension would double the club’s size and give more young people and vulnerable adults a safe place to learn, train and grow. It is also due to create rooms for alternative education and specialist programmes, including support for people with Parkinson’s disease.”

He added: “This project would deliver clear community, health and regeneration benefits, making a real difference to residents and the wider Eastfield area and I would ask the executive to carefully consider the request for funding.”

The report to the executive can be viewed or downloaded as a PDF here (item 5): https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/westway-boxing-club