New Home

Johnstown ABC Boxing Club have been busy relocating to the upstairs rooms above the former “Pit Stop” and ”O’Dwyers Pub” at The Athlumney Centre. They'll shortly announce their official opening date on their social media pages.

UPDATE

They've since moved in and are up and running!!!

This is one of the very few Community Clubs in our area so check them out upstairs in the Athlumney Centre.

Having laid empty for 5 years the space needed quite a bit of TLC not to mention a sledge hammer to transform it into a useable venue. The team have been working hard to turn the space into something more resembling a gym than its food and casino history.

The grin on the face of Phil Rooney, Club Founder, shows both delight and relief. Having set up the club from humble beginnings in his garden shed a decade ago it’s been a rollercoaster ride trying to establish a permanent home.

This time last year they were desperately seeking a venue when their time at Academy Street came to an end to allow the retailer to regain the premise. A rapid move into the Navan Town Centre should have provided them with a long term home but the move brought unforeseen issues.

The Cannon Rd venue didn’t come with any free parking and if you’ve ever tried to park at the Civic Square on Kennedy Road you’ll know spaces are hard to find. The Friday Fair Green Market further adds to the problem but it was the road works at the Solstice Roundabout thich was the final straw. Attendance figures dropped so dramatically with athletes not willing to put up with 40 min drive times from Johnstown to the venue.

The decision was therefore made to find another home and fast.

Former Gym

We were all expecting the former gym to be their new home but it's far from ready to occupy.

The Boxing club had been pressing the new owner of the former Gym between Taylors and Bailis Village but the owner appears to be in no hurry to revamp the building.

With several rumours of potential tenants the club is highly frustrated at the lack of progress. One day they might be a tennant but after 18 months of waiting they're not expecting to hear anything soon.

Phil has been minding the building to the extent of arranging for it to become more secure: fixed the leaky roof, window glass replaced, and further secured the doors. His frequent daily visits has reduced the impact from bored teenagers and he has invested time, money and effort in ensuring it doesn't become a nuisance venue.

The former Gym pictured here when the shutters were on is still vacant.

New Location

The Athlumney Centre was bought by the Dunville Housing Estate Developers last year but with only 3 outlets operating; Ladbrokes, Mario’s and Chinese Takeaway.

Rumours of future tenants, redevelopment and even change of use with new road access are often aired but are not confirmed. There's been no other renovation work or new outlets opening and so we suspect a dramatic change might be happening within the next few years.

Having approached the Athlumney Centre owners Phil’s Club has been given a home for at least 18mths. It’s future is uncertain but it’s a step in the right direction and provides one of the first community facilities in Johnstown.

The Athlumney Centre - the entrance door ~~will be via the central black shutter~~ is via the back staircase.

Renovation

Most Residents will not have seen inside the building especially the upstairs. Essentially it features a large octagonal shaped nearly windowless room with a beamed roof ceiling. Unfortunately slap bang in the middle of this is the access staircase dividing the room in two. Off to one side is a large room where the boxing ring will be installed whilst around the perimeter of the main room the club has erected steel supports from which to hang boxing bags.