THE Welfare Hall (above), whose deteriorating condition has been the subject of much discussion in recent years, saw the first steps taken to return the Grant Street eyesore to a usable condition. To coincide with the Grant Street improvements and floral decorations (see page 2), a bunch of volunteers joined members of the Inverness City Amateur Boxing Club in painting up the outside of the building.

The Club hopes that they will be able to attract sufficient funding from various sources to clear out and do up the interior of the building as well as installing changing rooms and showers. They hope to use the hall as a gym, with a ring and punchbags and other training equipment. Head coach Laurie Redfern says that the club could prove a great boost for Merkinch. “The gym would be good for the community because the club does not cater for boxing only, we have over 80 people using the club during the week; 50 of those training with us have no desire to box.
“We also have around 20 ladies using the training for fitness.”

Inverness City ABC was only re-formed five years ago and in that time they have produced five Scottish champions. At present they use Cameron Youth Centre in Planefield Road for training. The Welfare Hall was the social centre of Merkinch for many years - with everything happening there from dances and weddings to bingo and fundraising events. It is regarded with great affection, particularly by the older generation who remember it in its heyday. For some time used by a judo club, the building has lain empty for the last six years.