ST PAUL, Minn. — After years of restoration, and $1.2 million later, Sir Boxing Club debuted its new space in East St. Paul.
“Four years later, it’s remarkable to say that we’ve preserved this 100-year-old historic building while… doing what we can to make sure this neighborhood isn’t gentrified,” said Lead Developer Georgia Fort.
Georgia’s husband, Cerresso, is the owner. His boxing club has been around for a decade, but now he can take his members through new workouts in the new space.
“We want to keep bringing in more kids and giving them that outlet, so you know it’s a safe haven for the youth that’s in this community,” Cerresso said.
He said Sir Boxing Club is more than just a gym. It’s a safe place for kids and teenagers to get out their frustration and receive guidance from Cerresso and his team.
“With boxing it relieves a lot of stress, a certain negative energy they may have within, built in aggression they may not want to talk to no one about, and when they get to hitting the bag or working out with me in the mitts, it’s a great outlet,” he said.
Cerresso wants to catch kids before they go down the wrong path. A few of his young boxers spoke at the grand opening and talked about how this gym has changed their life, giving them a new perspective on life, and improving relationships with their family members.
Georgia said her husband often drives kids home, if they don’t have a ride.
“I’ve seen young people, young women, young men come into this gym at 7, 8 o’clock at night scared to go home,” Georgia said.
The Fort’s are proud their gym is a safe space for people to go, and hope it helps revitalize their community, showing kids and teenagers anything is possible.
“The eastside is a neighborhood that has been underinvested in a lot of times when people here about our neighborhood our community, it’s negative,” Georgia said. “It feels like we did the impossible.”
She said Sir Boxing Club is round one in revitalizing East St. Paul.
“I want to make sure the development that happens in this neighborhood is led by people who like me, people who live in this neighborhood, people who send their kids to school in this neighborhood, people who really care,” she said.
Georgia said she’s also working on other projects in the neighborhood.
“I’m in pre-development for two other projects, one is a housing development that will provide non-traditional pathways to homeownership, and then the other project is a location for my radio station. We’re looking at some sites on the eastside to be able better serve our listeners,” she said.
Cerresso said Sir Boxing Club is for anyone and is excited about guiding the next generation while leaving a legacy for his family.