City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MAY 7, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: HASHIM TAYLOR, DIRECTOR, RECREATION, PARKS & CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Three (3) Year License Agreement Renewal with the Alexandria Boxing Club for the Boxing Facility at Charles Houston Recreation Center.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a three (3) year license agreement renewal with the Alexandria Boxing Club for the boxing facility at the Charles Houston Recreation Center located at 901 Wythe Street.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Receive this report recommending a three-year license agreement renewal between the Alexandria Boxing Club and the City of Alexandria for the use of the boxing facility at the Charles Houston Recreation Center; and
2. Schedule a public hearing on May 16, 2026, and after the public hearing is concluded authorize the City Manager to execute the license agreement (Attachment).
BACKGROUND: In 2023, the City entered into a three-year license agreement with Fight for Children, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. for the Alexandria Boxing Club’s use of the boxing facility at the Charles Houston Recreation Center. The license agreement provided the Alexandria Boxing Club use of the 1,800 square foot boxing facility for an afternoon elementary after school program and a boxing training program held during evenings and on Saturdays. City of Alexandria youth ages 5-17 participate in the programs for free. During the terms of the current agreement, Fight for Children hired an Executive Director for the Alexandria Boxing Club and established the club as its own entity for accounting and programming purposes.
DISCUSSION: The terms of the draft license agreement are similar to the previous agreement and include a term of three years unless terminated by either party. The terms provide the Alexandria Boxing Club exclusive use of the facility Monday-Friday from 4:30 - 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. from July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2029. The City’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities has use of the facility during the remaining operating hours of the recreation center. This license agreement supports the ongoing commitment of the Alexandria Boxing Club to provide positive youth development and fitness through the sport of boxing. The club’s programs are available to Alexandria youth at no cost, and nonresident fees support the City’s adopted Resource Allocation and Cost Recovery Policy for recreation facilities/programs.
FISCAL IMPACT: The City will receive $7,500 ($2,500 per year) from Alexandria Boxing Club for the three-year term. The $7,500 payment is specifically for the boxing training program, with no payment assigned for the free youth after school program use. Non-resident youth participants, as well as both resident and non-resident adults pay the daily admission for the recreation center use or can purchase passes for use of the center.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft license agreement between Alexandria Boxing Club and the City of Alexandria
STAFF:
Alethea Predeoux, Deputy City Manager
Hashim Taylor, Director, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Laura Durham, Deputy Director, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Randy Little, Division Chief, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities