Articles

Boxing, fitness center opens in Allegheny Dwelling

Category: Youth Published on Wednesday, 14 July 2010 07:54 Written by Courier Newsroom

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Western Pennsylvania Police Athletic League opened the doors to a new boxing and general fitness program July 1.

The facility, known as the North Side Fitness Center, is open to all Housing Authority residents free of charge. The programs will be managed by the Housing Authority and WPAL and represents a unique partnership designed to better the lives of low-income Pittsburgh residents. It is located in Allegheny Dwellings, 1704 Belleau Drive, Pittsburgh.

RIBBON CUTTING—A. Fulton Meachem Jr., Mayor Luke Ravenstah, Detective Robert White and children from Allegheny Dwellings help cut the ribbon at the fitness center.

During the grand opening of the gym, HACP and the WPAL was joined by a host of public officials including Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Police Chief Nathan Harper and aspiring local boxer Tika Hemingway. Professional boxer Rayco Saunders conducted a sparring exhibition to commemorate the opening of the new gym and the unveiling of its boxing ring.

The North Side Fitness Center will host a boxing and fitness program facilitated under the direction of experienced instructors and volunteer police personnel. It will be fully equipped with a variety of weight-training and aerobic exercise equipment and offer open gym hours for HACP residents regardless of age or gender.

The facility is unique in that it houses a mentoring and fitness program conducted by the HACP, WPAL and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.

The programs offered will be geared toward young adults, specifically females. Allegheny Dwellings has a large population of young females and young, single mothers.

The center will host fitness, wellness and self-awareness programs aimed specifically to meet the needs of this audience.