REPAIRS NEEDED: St Paul's Church on Arcot Street is home to Penarth Amateur Boxing Club.
A PENARTH boxing coach fears the building he has trained countless youngsters in could face closure if urgent repairs aren't made by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.
Neil Munn, head coach of Penarth Amateur Boxing Club, says a leaking roof has made conditions unacceptable at the St Paul's Church gym on Arcot Street.
Neil, nominated as Coach of the Year 2007' at the prestigious Sports Council of Wales awards, says the club faces an uncertain future unless the Vale council either begin urgent repair work - or signs the building over to him so he can register as a charitable trust.
"The roof won't last another winter, that's for sure," he said
"There's damp patches all over it and water is leaking everywhere.
"Big holes have started appearing in the floor and it's unacceptable for the kids to train in."
The former super middleweight, who trains youngsters aged six to 18, including recent British champions Kyron Pring and Kieran Harding, says money raised from annual boxing nights at Penarth Leisure Centre could pay for the repairs - but has been told not to start work by Vale council chiefs.
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"It would cost about £2,500 and I've just about got that from the boxing shows," added Neil, who as a volunteer, does not get paid for his coaching.
"If the council can't afford to do the work then I wish they'd just sign the building over to us.
UNACCEPTABLE: Neil Munn wants the building to be given charItable trust status so repair work can start.
"We could then apply for charitable trust status, get sponsors in and apply for lottery funding.
"But the council have told me not to get the work done and won't sign the building over.
"It's just being run into the ground and has left us in limbo."
The Vale of Glamorgan Council say repairs won't start until the results of a feasibility study are known.
Operational manager (leisure and tourism) Dave Knevett said: "The building has had various improvements made to it over the past 15 years but, unfortunately, further money does need to be spent.
"There is currently a feasibility study being carried out on the whole building with the aim of increasing its usage.
"The main parts of the building are presently only used during weekday evenings due to the lack of flexibility in the space and the lack of a heating and ventilation system.
"Until the feasibility study has been completed, and the future use of the site is decided, it is unlikely that any further large investments will be made in the building."
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