Champs Gym asks Roanoke council for support for new boxing facility serving youth and at-risk residents

Leaders and athletes from Champs Gym addressed Roanoke City Council on July 21 to request city support for a new, larger boxing facility they said would expand youth programming, mentoring and violence-prevention work in the Melrose area and across Roanoke.

Victor Banks described Champs Gym’s history and nonprofit status: “Champs Gym has been a fixture in Roanoke City for 53 years…we were founded in ’72, and we’ve been a nonprofit 501(c)(3) on the Metros Athletic Club for 22 years now,” he said. Trainer Jamie Henderson told the council the proposed facility would support after-school mentoring and confidence-building for children: “The gym that we’re looking to build, I feel like it would be great for the community.”

Participants brought competition credentials and examples of youth outcomes. Dante Donaville described his career and character development through the gym: “I’ve been boxing since I was 10 years old…It showed me great character.” The group cited recent and upcoming events, including a city show at the Berglund Center on Sept. 27 and a competition in Norfolk on July 26. Coach Jason Dunn described his son, who is on the autism spectrum, and told council boxing helped raise the child’s confidence and school performance.

A representative for Kingdom Connect, an organization that works on community violence prevention, told council the gym provides a needed alternative for youth after interventions: “I was very impressed at what I see at that gym…they deserve more than that, especially if they’re doing the work in our community,” the speaker said. Mayor Cobb told the group, “we’re gonna work with you to see how we can be best helpful to you.” Council did not take formal action; staff said they would follow up with the presenters.