VISTA -- The first rule of boxing is you must have a place to practice floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee.
Just ask the teenagers slugging the heavy bag and bobbing around the ring at the North County Boxing Gym in Vista. The nonprofit club is looking for a new home because its lease is ending Thursday at the gym at 515 S. Santa Fe Ave.
The club can no longer afford the rent after seven years in the building, but the building's new owner is willing to let the children stay until a new home can be found, according to Tony Contreras, the driving force behind the boxing club.
Contreras said he wants to keep the group in Vista, San Marcos or Oceanside because most of the more than 100 boxers he works with come from those cities and the only other place there is a boxing club in North County is in Escondido.
The Vista club is for 8-year-olds and up and the level of commitment varies. Many practice the "sweet science" on weeknights and compete in weekend competitions while others stop in only occasionally. Boxers pay $50 a year for insurance and $25 a month for dues, Contreras said, adding that the club's five coaches volunteer their time.
"We will have a boxing program somewhere, even if it's in my garage," said Contreras, who has taught history for more than 20 years at San Marcos High School. "Hopefully with the help of the city or generous business people, someone will have an idea."
Contreras said he looking for a 2,500-square-foot facility where the rent is less than $1,000 a month. He has no clear timetable, but said the building owner at the South Santa Fe site would appreciate it if the club could relocate as soon as possible.
Most of the buildings Contreras has looked at renting are simply too expensive for his club, he said, adding that the strongest possibility is moving into a second-story room in the back of the Boys & Girls Club of Vista.
Peggy Reiber, the Boys & Girls Club executive director, said she will take the issue to the board of directors when Contreras tells her for certain that he wants to lease space.
"I think it's a great idea and a win-win for both groups" Reiber said. "But it's not anywhere near a done deal."
The boxing club can't get in to the Boys & Girls Club building until mid-October because Eagles Peak Charter School is using the facility until it moves into a building next door.
Reiber said many of the kids at the Boys & Girls Club would be interested in boxing. If the boxing club does lease space, Reiber said she wants the younger boxers to also join her club.
Contreras said his younger boxers could get help with their homework at the Boys & Girls Club before they start training, but he wants to see if there are any other possibilities before asking Reiber to take it to the board.
Several boxers, including 15-year-old Ricky Gutierrez, said they don't care where they end up.
"I will go anywhere with the gym as long as Tony is training me," said Ricky, who lives in San Marcos. "Coming here keeps me out of trouble. My friends get in trouble, and I tell them they should come here and box."
Al Gamez Sr. drives his 9-year-old son, Al Jr., to the Vista gym from their home in Mira Mesa. Gamez said he used to take his son to an upscale gym in San Diego, but said the boy didn't get the same guidance and care that Contreras provides.
"Tony would put the kids in his living room," Gamez said. "He has been a second father to these kids. It's incredible what he does here."
The only question is where 'here' will be in the future.
Contact David Sterrett at dsterrett@nctimes.com.
