Midland Hub Becomes More Inclusive After £700,000 Revamp

Former world boxing champion Carl Frampton MBE and other special guests visited Midland Social and Recreation Association for the official opening of the redeveloped community hub following a £700,000 upgrade.

The project was funded and delivered by Belfast City Council with support from the Garfield Weston Foundation. Grants from The National Lottery Spaces and Places Fund have allowed the club to create a new community garden.

The new investments meant that boxing facilities were upgraded with the addition of new female changing rooms and a second boxing ring. The social space within the building has also been redeveloped, including the addition of accessible toilets and access ramps making the centre more inclusive and accessible for everyone in the community.

Belfast City Council sees the investment as a boost for local boxers which is important with the sport growing in popularity, especially women's boxing, and the council hopes the new female changing rooms and a second ring will encourage more women to consider taking up the sport.

Alderman Frank McCoubrey, Deputy Chair of Belfast City Council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee describes the centre as "a superb asset for the community in North Belfast creating a hub where people can meet and participate in a wide range of programmes".

Sam Cochrane, Chairperson of Midland Social and Recreational Association, said: "The club would like thank Belfast City Council and other funders on the work that has been carried out, which is a great asset to the club and the area. The club is looking forward to new beginnings and a new chapter. We are particularly looking forward to opening our club to new members including females for the first time. The addition of the second ring will allow us to increase our club members and help the club continue to grow."