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New York Gym Closing May Yet Recover

By Alan Gray, NewsBlaze  

A few hours after publishing the story New York Gym Credited With Keeping Countless Kids Off The Streets to Be Closed, NewsBlaze received an email from NYC Department of Parks & Recreation Director of Public Affairs, Warner Johnston.

Johnston said that an alternative location was offered to the boxing club and they rejected it. He also said the after-school program that is to use the Gym's space "is extremely popular with local youth and we were able to double the size... In order for us to increase our program, we were required to move the boxing program."

Johnston said the Parks Department is committed to the children of New York City.

"We offered the boxing program space in another Parks Department facility in Brooklyn, which they declined, but are currently working with the boxing organizers, the Police Athletic League organization, and the Mayor's Community Assistance Unit to find them appropriate space in another facility."

There must be some disconnect between the parties involved, because Pat Russo, PAL Boxing Director says he had no contact with the Parks Department since moving the ring. "Had I been offered another location in a Parks Facility I would take it without hesitation. PAL Boxing in a NYC Parks Building is the perfect situation. Parks are where kids are, should be and do not bother any neighbors. No rent, no utilities, we pay salaries and for all the necessary equipment. That's the perfect location and situation for an amateur boxing program."

The boxing program has 100 youth registered and at least 25 attend daily. That number increases drastically during the Golden Gloves.

Pat Russo told NewsBlaze "The Parks Department After School Program is a great program. Ms. Diggs, the Center Director runs a beautiful program and most of her kids will probably go on to become doctors, lawyers, teachers or politicians. The kids that usually get involved in the boxing program are kids that are looking to get involved in something that seems tough and cool. Without the program some will definitely be tempted by the local gangs including the Latin Kings, Netas, and the Bloods."

Many youth in the PAL Boxing Program have gone on to become NYC Police Officers, Fire Fighters and others joined the US Military. In addition, the Spanakos Twins were in the PAL program - one became a lawyer, the other a doctor. PAL Boxing made a big impact on their lives.

The two programs have co-existed for twenty years and really should continue to do so. Russo says "We will make any adjustments necessary to our program to make it work."

Like Senator Schumer said, you should not sacrifice one good program to expand another program, you figure out a way to make them work together. The parties are committed to New York and the kids, so now it is time to put words into action.

NewsBlaze will continue to follow up on this story. Let's hope it doesn't take long to get both programs running well in a suitable location.

alan@newsblaze.com