The facility is home to three skatepark floors, a 15m climbing wall, dedicated bouldering area, cafe and boxing facilities. In addition, F51 will also feature another world first, with the only suspended concrete bowl ever to be built.

The impressive building is located in the heart of Folkstone and overlooks the channel, with views over to France. The venue took over four years to construct, at a cost of over £17m, with the majority of the funding coming from The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust, which was set up by the founder of the Saga holiday group.

The venue contains a concrete bowl and separate pool with unique design features and has a maximum depth of 2.7m. The first floor is home to a large ‘street’ skatepark with 700sq m of skate area, utilising a mixture of obstacles inspired by street furniture and modern skatepark design. The top floor houses a ‘Flow Floor’ which is aimed at all abilities and is made from a full timber structure. The venue also has a 15m high climber wall, with 15 lines and 2 dedicated speed climbing walls, plus a bouldering area. There is a café as well as a modern boxing gym.

Last year skateboarding made its premier at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, with Sky Brown winning a Bronze Medal for Team GB, securing her place as Britain’s youngest ever Summer Olympian. Since then the number of people taking up skateboarding has rocketed, with participation at an all-time high.

“We are incredibly honoured that The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust has gifted this world-class building to The Sports Trust and we are excited to bring this extraordinary venue to life,” said Dan Hulme, chief executive of The Shepway Sports Trust.

“As a charity that has been working in Folkestone for over seven years to create inclusive and inspiring environments for people to love sport, we are confident that Folkestone 51 will bring enviable opportunities and experiences to local people for generations to come.”

F51 opens on 4^th April 2022.