PROJECT REPORT: SPORTS & LEISURE FACILITIES 39
Despite the innovation in its form, it is in its contribution to the community, and the community’s returned passion for it, in which F51 truly shines. Guy Hollaway, who is principal partner at Hollaway Studio, summarises this perfectly: “F51 is about investing in the next generation, to help regenerate Folkestone town centre – this building puts young people first, and for the first time, architecture, engineering and the skating world have come together to create this truly unique design solution.” He continues: “Since the opening, we have seen both the local community and enthusiastic skaters from further afield engaging with the building. We hope that this building will not only inspire and foster young minds but could also help to facilitate the next Olympic skater.” Similarly, Ella Brocklebank, head of communications and business development at the contractors on the scheme, Jenner, echoed Hollaway’s sentiments, describing the wider impact of the project: “A sustainable future in its truest form is where the young are nurtured and given the opportunity to grow and fulfil their potential; to gain new skills and achieve great things.” She continues: “The aim is simple, a common sense approach to invest in this
ADF JUNE 2022
generation, with the aim that it will go on to invest in the one that follows – generational regeneration.” “Undoubtedly,” Ella concludes, “this is the life blood of F51.”
Local legacy F51 is a one-off, and is a project that every one of its contributors are extremely proud of, and building that’s a product of its function which has instantly become a landmark.
Combined with this passion, it has quickly garnered real success through enabling both its future users, and the experts that put it together, to have true freedom in designing the building to an uncompromisingly high standard. It is clear that this highly unusual project could not have been realised without the substantial donations of Sir Roger de Haan, which was something that everyone I met appeared truly grateful for. The finished result is an example of what a leisure project of this type, designed ‘without constraint’ can deliver. If de Haan’s aim was to create a legacy for himself by investing in the current generation, by giving the town’s young people a reason to stay in Folkestone, he has absolutely achieved that with this groundbreaking scheme. g
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BOWLS
The concrete forms of the skateboarding bowls are clearly visible from the exterior
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