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Building urban skate centre F51 in Folkestone likened to completing giant jigsaw puzzle
06:00, 02 August 2020
Work completing a one-of-a-kind skate park in Folkestone has been compared to finishing a giant jigsaw puzzle.
New pictures show how progress is being made at F51, the multi-million pound urban sports park being built on the corner of Tontine Street and Dover Road.
The facade panels have been fitted on the first floor, with work now starting to move up to level two.
But the installation is complex work, as each piece has to be added one-by-one.
Ella Brocklebank, business development manager at Folkestone-based Jenner, the lead contractor on the project, said: "The team certainly have their hands full managing what can only be described as a giant jigsaw as the panels piece together one-by-one and will continue to do so floor-by-floor.
"But they remain unrelenting in their enthusiasm and determination to bring design aspirations to life in the built form to deliver this flagship community-focused building.
"It is going to look fabulous!"
The unique centre will dedicate two floors to skating and will include suspended skating bowls and huge expanses of exposed concrete.
It will also be home to climbing and bouldering areas, a reception, cafe, boxing area, shower and changing facilities.
Over the years, it has received celebrity endorsements from American rapper MC Hammer and pro-skater Bam Margera.
The project has been funded and developed by the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust as part of a wave of regeneration plans for the town.
It has been in the pipeline since 2015 but its completion has been delayed several times due to its complex design, escalating costs, issues with cladding and Covid-19.
It will ultimately be managed by the Shepway Sports Trust.
