A planned multi-million-dollar facility for Norfolk’s celebrated boxing program now has a developer and is taking steps toward construction, more than two years after it moved from Harbor Park to a temporary space in Park Place.
Last week, Norfolk City Council members approved transferring the old Rosna Theatre property — the boxing program’s future home — to the city, allowing the Norfolk Economic Development Authority to sign a design/build agreement with the developer.
First announced by the city in July 2022, the redevelopment would transform the 12,500-square-foot property into a gym with two boxing rings, a bag room, a weightlifting area, spectator seating and more. Renderings show a restored Rosna Theatre marquee advertising upcoming bouts while outside TV monitors display fights happening inside.
Team Norfolk Boxing has been operating out of a temporary space in the Park Place Multi-Services Center since the program reopened in June 2022.
The program was moved from its two-ring, 13,000-square-foot home in Harbor Park because developers planned to install a temporary casino in the stadium. However, those plans fizzled out.