Boxe Neepawa closing down

Details

Published on Thursday, April 12, 2018

Photo by Eoin Devereux.  Derek Pearson has operated the Boxe Neepawa Combat Sports and Fitness Club for just over four years.

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner & Press

After four years in operation, the Boxe Neepawa Combat Sports and Fitness Club has confirmed it will shut down. The club has announced that Monday, Apr. 30, will be the last day the facility is open, with the final classes scheduled for Thursday, Apr. 26.  

Boxe Neepawa first opened in Feb. 2014. Club owner and operator Derek Pearson said there are a few reasons for this making this decision at this time.

“The main [reason] being burnout. Putting in over a combined 5,000 hours of coaching over the past four years has taken its toll. The club’s participation numbers also usually get a bit slow in the spring and summer. People are more involved with other activities in May, June and July, so the timing of this decision makes sense. As well, our facility wasn’t up to par, so this will give me time to look into something else,” stated Pearson. 

The current training equipment that’s owned by the gym or has been donated to it, will either be given to other gyms in the Westman area or sold off at a mini yard sale later this month. 

As for the response from the club members, Pearson noted that there were mixed emotions, but that they understood the reasoning behind it.  He did add, however, that everyone should view this more as a hiatus as opposed to an end. 

“Definitely not saying that we’ll be opening again right away. But, in the future, in some way, shape or form, we will be starting up again,” stressed Pearson. “Just a huge thank to the public and especially the club members. Everyone who came through the door. The community really helped out any time we needed it, so I just want to thank everyone for the last four years and just stand by for announcements on the future.”

For just over four years, Boxe Neepawa Combat Sports and Fitness Club was one of the only Olympic style boxing and MMA training facilities in rural Manitoba. It also served as the primary training facility for the Neepawa Natives Junior “A” hockey team.

Several club members, including Logan Russell and Logan Enns competed in and won competitive regional and provincial tournaments. In 2015, Pearson won the Neepawa & Area Sportsperson of the Year