Beaver boxing is now located on Spruce Street in Little Italy and is a popular place for athletes of all ages.
Red doors painted with a white beaver now mark the entrance to a fluorescently lit gym at 145 Spruce St.
“We were driving all around Ottawa for almost a year looking into windows and walking through spaces,” says Jill Perry, manager and assistant coach of Beaver Boxing. “When I saw this building I knew it was right.”
The boxing club has finally nestled itself into its new home after it was forced to move from its previous location on Carling Avenue in order to make way for the Queensway expansion.
It found itself on the ropes when the city, which originally rented the building to the non-profit organization, didn’t find an immediate replacement.
“We were stalling for a long time, hanging on to the idea that the city would find something else,” says Perry.
Today pictures of previous students and posters with slogans such as “This door has led many people to pain and fame” decorate the walls and doors of the gym. Punching bags and speed bags hang from the ceiling, all centered around a bright blue boxing ring.
“The old gym had the nostalgic feeling of being home,” says Justin Bergamini, an athlete at Beaver Boxing. “But the new gym is a fantastic wide open space.”
The club has a rich history of producing championship athletes. President Joe Sandulo, was the youngest boxer to ever represent Canada at the Olympics.
Four other Beaver athletes have also represented Canada including Honroe Chevrier, Harvey Lacelle, Clayton Kenny and Ian Clyde.
After retiring from the ring Sandulo coached 10 Canadian Champions, Perry, Brent Bramhill, Brian Brennan, Barry Dolan, Greg Gayle, Ian Clyde, Jay Massie, Humberto Alvalez, Nora Daigle and Samir Louati. Of those athletes four went on to fight for World Championships.
Today, Perry hopes to continue to produce championship grade boxers and says the move has come at a time when the club is turning the page in its 68-year history.
“We’re seeing our old students coming back to teach or even bringing their own kids in,” says Perry.
On Tuesdays, the gym is over-run by excited young hockey players completing dry land training in order to keep their fitness level up.
“I like how he makes us work hard, it’s fun!” says nine-year-old Justin Graham.
The club is trying to attract new members of all ages with the various classes it offers.
From simple fitness and training, to sparring and actual boxing bouts, there is something for every level.
“My grandfather used to follow boxing but my mom would never let me box when I was young,” says Bruno Mesta, a Carleton University student who joined the gym six months ago.
Mesta started out with cardio classes but quickly switched to boxing training and eventually sparring. His first bout was early this month.
“When I came in here it gave me a really good feeling, like a real boxing club,” says Mesta.
Mesta and Graham are the type of students Perry hopes will carry the gym into the future.
The new space has given them a fresh start and a larger area to work with.
“We’re being given this opportunity (with the move) to push forward into the future,” says Perry. “Boxing changed my life and now it’s time to give that experience to someone else.”