A sports centre that includes one of the UK's longer established dry slopes appears to have been saved thanks to a new operator taking it over.
The Folkestone Sports Centre closed unexpectedly late last summer when the charitable trust running in ran into financial problem. Now a new charity operator, The Sports Trust, a not-for-profit charity based in the town, has taken over.
Besides the dry slope, which dates to the 1960s, the 11 acre site includes are two indoor swimming pools, three outdoor tennis courts, a health and fitness suite, a sports hall, three squash courts, spin and aerobics studios, a health and beauty facility and a cafe/bar. There's also an archery area, a nine-hole footgolf course and a high ropes course.
The Sports Trust describes itself as a charity which seeks to dismantle barriers to sports participation and celebrate sport as a tool for social improvement. It already operates several other leisure facilities in the area and works with schools, sports clubs and the local community.
"As we anticipated from the outset, interest in the centre came from a wide variety of potential purchasers, including those interested in alternative uses and redevelopment of the site. However, such was the importance of Folkestone Sports Centre to the local community, we were pleased to see that the majority of interest in the centre came from the charitable health and leisure club sector with a mutual goal of re-opening the business," said Jon Patrick, Head of Leisure and Development at specialist property adviser Christie & Co who added, "Following a competitive bidding process, we were delighted to confirm The Sports Trust as our preferred bidder, and given their significant local knowledge and outreach as well as investment plans for the property, we believe they were the best placed party to ensure the future of Folkestone Sports Centre."
Dan Hulme, Chief Executive Officer of The Sports Trust, commented:
"We are excited to be acquiring Folkestone Sports Centre. It was much loved and had been immensely important to our community. We are now able to look forward to bringing it back to life and re-establishing it as an excellent facility."
It will be some time before the centre, which closed in August last year, will reopen however. There is considerable work to be done to the centre to ensure that it complies with all necessary regulations. Work has begun but a statement from The Sports Trust notes, "..essential works on the building and equipment will be completed over the next twelve months, subject to successful funding."
"For now, we simply ask for a little more patience. The Folkestone Sports Centre will be an exciting addition to The Sports Trust, and we will work tirelessly to open it again as soon as possible," Dan Hulme added.
image credit: Christie & Co