WORK to build a state-of-the-art training facility for Droitwich Amateur Boxing Club could start within weeks.

The community boxing club, which boasts more than 200 members and plays a vital role in supporting youngsters in the area, is set to start the tendering process this week.

It means that workers could move in to start developing a site near Droitwich Sports and Leisure Complex, Briar Mill, in just five weeks time.

The ambitious £200,000 project aims to move the popular club from its outdated facility in Kidderminster Road to a new home. The scheme has been made possible thanks to funding from Sport England, the Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE), a loan agreement with Wychavon District Council and the club’s own fundraising drive, which is still on-going.

Project manager James Hughes, from town-based firm J H Surveying, said: “We are going to tender at the end of the week and will be speaking with five local contractors over the next fortnight. We will then take another two weeks to assess the offers and so will aim to start work at the site in five weeks. It’s all systems go for the project.”

Chris Andrews, from Droitwich Amateur Boxing Club, said: “We still need to raise funds for the project because we won’t know exactly how much more is needed until the tendering process is complete. Everyone has been very generous and we hope that we’re not too far away from our total now.”

The club, which is the only Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) affiliated group in the area, caters for both male and female boxers and has strong links with organisations such as social services and youth offending teams.

The development will see a new building constructed to house two boxing rings, a weights training area, skipping and punch bag facility, shadow boxing area, changing and toilet facilities and a staff area.

The project could also see the club working in partnership with Wychavon District Council to share facilities with the leisure centre.

Droitwich Amateur Boxing Club was formed in 1977 and eventually found a permanent home in Kidderminster Road during 1983.