Folkestone Sports Centre is currently undergoing a £1.5m revamp which will include the introduction of a new dedicated kids gym.

The refurbishment of the near 40-year-old centre, which is being funded by loans from Charity Bank and Big Issue Invest and supported by Alliance Leisure, will see the creation of a new gym, café and bar area; as well as upgrades to the roof, pool plant, reception and foyer. A viewing gallery will be created overlooking the facility's two swimming pools.

The new junior gym will boast eight ZigZag Xer-Dance platforms and resistance and CV equipment, while the main fitness centre will move into the main building and double in size to 300sq m, featuring 65 pieces of resistance and CV equipment. The existing toning studio will move to the site of the existing gym and see new Powertone and Easytone chairs installed.

Tessa Stickler, general manager at Folkestone Sports Centre Trust, said: "As we are a charity it was extremely difficult to obtain funding.

"Alliance Leisure worked with us over many years to get this project up and running and persistence has paid off. The ethos of the Trust is that we provide affordable sports facilities for the community and the fact that we now have a modern new gym doesn't change that in any way."

Stephen Parker, Business Development Manager for Alliance Leisure, added: "We are extremely pleased that this project is finally able to go ahead. There is no other affordable sport facility in the area and it was imperative that the facilities were upgraded and the buildings maintained to ensure that these amenities were not lost."

The refurbishment work, which is being carried out by building contractor Cosmur, will be completed mid-september.