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Roger De Haan Charitable Trust reveals plans for new sports centre at the junction of Dover Road and Tontine Street, in Folkestone

Impressive artist impressions of a proposed new multi-sports centre in Folkestone have been unveiled.

The images have been released by the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust, who announced plans for a new activity centre in the town yesterday.

They plan to build the six-storey sports hall on the land at the junction of Dover Road and Tontine Street, where demolition work is currently underway on the former bingo hall and COop buildings.

Images show what the exterior of the proposed new centre could look like
Images show what the exterior of the proposed new centre could look like

A consultation on the project, which would accommodate sports such as skateboarding, climbing and boxing, will he held later this month.

Following this a formal planning application could be submitted to Shepway District Council.

The announcement for the proposed new centre was made by the Trust at The Shed skate park, which is currently run by Folkestone Youth Project (FYP), yesterday.

The sports club would include a skate park and climbing walls
The sports club would include a skate park and climbing walls
The six floored building includes a roof top cafe
The six floored building includes a roof top cafe

The FYP will be just one of the groups invited to join discussions about activities at the new centre, and chair Damian Collins welcomed the news.

He said: “The proposals outlined here would bring provision for young people in Folkestone to a new level, and would help to establish permanent amenities that would be the envy of any town in the south east.”

The plans are being put forward by the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust, which was established by Sir Roger De Haan, former Chairman of Saga Group, and his father Sidney, Saga’s founder.

Roger De Haan.
Roger De Haan.

The Trust supports a wide range of charitable causes and activities, mainly concentrated in the area around Folkestone, Hythe and the Romney Marsh in Kent.

A spokesman said: “The objective is to provide a major new indoor activity centre that will be the finest of its kind in the region, whilst offering access to young people who live locally at heavily subsidised rates."

Initial designs for the centre have been prepared by Guy Hollaway Architects, who are working in conjunction with consultants who have experience in designing facilities for challenging sports.

MP Damian Collins Picture: Gary Browne
MP Damian Collins Picture: Gary Browne

Potentially the new building would be able to accommodate skateboarding and scooters at beginner, intermediate and competition levels, together with facilities for trial cycling, boxing and climbing.

The images show that if approved, it will have six-storeys, which will include a roof top cafe, lobby and three floors with fitted ramps for cycling and skateboarding.

The public consultation will be held on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 at Sunflower House, in Foord Road, where "local people and future users can see current proposals for themselves and express their opinions".

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