A multimillionaire has stepped in to save a much-loved leisure centre, which suddenly closed last summer, KentOnline can reveal.

After months of uncertainty, The Sports Trust, with the help of Sir Roger De Haan, has confirmed it has exchanged contracts to acquire the Folkestone Sports Centre site, with the official handover expected to take place in the coming weeks.

The news follows a lengthy period of negotiations with the centre’s administrator and key local stakeholders.

The funds provided by Sir Roger meant The Sports Trust was able to outbid “a number of housing developers”, saving the land from becoming a housing estate.

Folkestone Sports Centre – home to a pool, gym and tennis courts – closed its doors in July 2024 after the charity previously running it became insolvent, resulting in the loss of 144 jobs.

The future of the centre – which originally opened in 1972 – has hung in the balance ever since, sparking fears it could be demolished to make way for housing.

But following confirmation from administrators in January that a bid had been accepted, it has now been revealed The Sports Trust, which already operates several other facilities in Folkestone, is the successful buyer.

Dan Hulme, chief executive of The Sports Trust, said: “We are excited to be acquiring Folkestone Sports Centre.

“It was much loved and has been immensely important to our community.

“We can now look forward to bringing it back to life and re-establishing it as an excellent facility.”

The trust, which runs the F51 skatepark, the Three Hills Sports Park and Folkestone Sea Sports Centre, is aiming to reopen the centre in the next 12 months, subject to securing additional funding for necessary refurbishment works.

Mr Hulme added that the acquisition would not have been possible without “the incredibly generous support” of The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust (RDHCT).

Its chairman, philanthropist and Saga boss Sir Roger, has provided the funding to purchase the site and carry out building works.

“In November last year, we were able to outbid a number of housing developers to ensure that the Folkestone Sports Centre could be saved,” Sir Roger said.

“We did this with the knowledge that we had the support of Folkestone and Hythe District Council and the Folkestone Estate, who originally gifted the land to the Sports Centre in the late 1960s.

“The sports centre has been extraordinarily important to Folkestone.

“Its swimming pool has, over the years, been enjoyed by a vast number of people and it is where many of our local children have learnt to swim.”

MP for Folkestone and Hythe, Tony Vaughan, who previously described the news of a buyer being found as “absolutely brilliant”, welcomed the official announcement.

“It’s brilliant news that The Sports Trust, with the backing of the RDHCT, has stepped in to bring back the Sports Centre and secure the future of this vital local community facility,” he said.

Built in 1972 and officially opened by Princess Anne, the centre included a swimming pool, gym, sports hall, tennis courts and even a dry ski slope.

Following its closure, thousands signed a petition calling for the site to be saved.

The Sports Trust has already begun working with Sport England and specialist consultants FMG, who specialise in leisure centre regeneration, to carry out structural and equipment surveys and ensure the building will meet modern safety and operational standards when it reopens.

Paul Carney, chairman of The Sports Trust, said: “We understand the impact that the closure of the sports centre has had on clubs and groups who suddenly found themselves without a home.

“There is considerable work to be done to ensure the centre is fit not only for this generation but generations to come.”

Work is expected to begin as early as this month, with completion targeted within a year, subject to successful fundraising.

Mr Hulme added: “The Sports Trust is committed to providing excellent sporting facilities that are open and accessible so that as many people as possible can enjoy the benefits of physical activity.

“We are very much looking forward to working with the community on this project.

“For now, we ask for a little more patience.

“The Folkestone Sports Centre will be an exciting addition to our facilities, and we will work tirelessly to reopen it as soon as possible.”

Sir Roger also led the way for the regeneration of Folkestone Harbour Arm, which has become a popular tourist spot in recent years.

His firm, Folkestone Harbour and Seafront Development Company, is also behind plans for new homes along the coast.

Taughhe first phase, Shoreline Crescent, is already completed.