TV Star Leads Revamp of Town’s Run-Down Sports Centre
In an ambitious initiative, Matt Morsia, the celebrated TV star known as Legend from BBC’s Gladiators, is set to revitalize the neglected Folkestone Sports Centre. This undertaking represents a significant commitment to his community and aims to breathe life back into the sporting facility.
Revamping a Community Hub
The Folkestone Sports Centre has been closed for a year, but hope is on the horizon. Morsia announced his collaboration with The Sports Trust to redevelop the gym area during a recent YouTube video on his channel, which boasts 2.36 million subscribers.
- Location: Folkestone Sports Centre
- Closure Duration: Closed since last year
- Projected Swimming Pool Opening: July 2026
- Subscriptions: Morsia’s YouTube Channel – 2.36 million subscribers
A Personal Journey
The project holds personal significance for Morsia. He reminisced about training at this gym when he started his YouTube journey nearly 13 years ago. “This was literally the gym that my channel was built on,” he noted, expressing his deep connection to the facility.
Currently based in nearby Hythe, Morsia’s long-standing ties to the centre motivated him to take on this project. He has previously opened three gyms across the UK and considers this endeavor to be far larger in scope.
Plans for Transformation
The renovation plans include significant upgrades to the gym space. Key goals involve:
- Removing walls to create open spaces
- Extending floors for better accessibility
- Establishing dedicated workout zones for athletes and the general public
“My goal is to create a gym for everyone,” Morsia emphasized. He envisions a serious training environment that caters to athletes while remaining welcoming to all visitors.
Facility Features to Revive
The tour of the sports centre showcased various areas awaiting revitalization, including:
- The upstairs gym area
- Two swimming pools (one drained, one operational)
- A climbing wall
- A dry ski slope, which has fallen into disrepair
Dan Hulme, CEO of The Sports Trust, played a vital role in this revival, having “literally saved it from extinction.” The Sports Trust plans to focus on restoring essential facilities such as the gym, swimming pool, and sports hall.
Community Commitment
In conclusion, this project aims not just to reopen the Folkestone Sports Centre but to ensure its longevity for future generations. “We need to make sure it has another 50 years ahead,” Hulme stated, underlining the importance of this community hub.
Morsia’s journey from a local trainer to a prominent fitness influencer reflects both his dedication to fitness and his commitment to enhancing his community through this significant renovation. The timeline for these developments promises exciting changes for Folkestone.
