OXNARD : Historic La Colonia Gym Will Reopen

A grand opening celebration has been scheduled Saturday at the La Colonia Youth Boxing Gym, officials said.

Three boxers, including Fernando Vargas, the U.S. amateur lightweight champion, will be on hand to reopen the neighborhood sanctum that had fallen into disrepair during the early 1990s.

Last year, the Oxnard City Council agreed to spend $250,000 to enlarge and renovate the abandoned firehouse at 520 E. 1st St. Before it was closed in 1990, the stucco building was home to more than 30 years of local boxing tradition, though it had become a neighborhood eyesore, marred by weeds, graffiti and broken bottles.

Music will be provided, and a boxing exhibition will take place during the grand opening, scheduled for 10 a.m.