Work is underway on a new outdoor gym which is set to open at a popular seafront later this year.
A section of the beach off The Strand in Walmer, near Deal, neighbouring the existing Roman Landings Adventure Golf, has been cordoned off, with contractors and machinery on site.
Work is now underway on the new outdoor gym on Walmer seafront. Picture: Walmer Town Council
The gym will include 10 pieces of cardio, strength and cross-training equipment, freely available to those over the age of 13.
Cllr Trevor Bond, chair of Walmer Town Council (WTC), which is behind the project, said they were delighted work was underway.
“We are pleased to be able to provide this new facility for the community,” he added.
“The project team are now hard at work developing an initial range of induction training sessions which will help support everyone at all levels to benefit from the wide range of equipment available.”
The gym will include 10 pieces of cardio, strength and cross-training equipment. Picture: Walmer Town Council
It is hoped installation will be completed by mid-September and bosses say it will provide residents with “a free inclusive facility to help support an active and healthy lifestyle”.
Proposals for the scheme first emerged in May 2023, with WTC hoping to introduce a variety of apparatus along the town’s promenade.
But following conversations with industry experts, it was thought there would be greater benefit to the community by installing equipment in an area with higher footfall, increasing the social element by allowing groups to train together.
Originally, a planning application for the scheme was submitted by WTC to Dover District Council (DDC) in December 2025.
However, this was withdrawn earlier this year because it was agreed the project could proceed under a lawful development certificate, which does not require planning permission.
How the new gym on Walmer beach will lookChair of Walmer Town Council, Cllr Trevor Bond is delighted work on the new outdoor gym is underway
DDC has also agreed upon a lease for the use of the land on the town’s seafront.
The materials and equipment were ordered from supplier Kompan.
The purchase was made possible by £15,000 in National Lottery funding awarded to the authority by Sport England.
A public consultation, conducted by WTC in April 2024, revealed overwhelming support for the project, with 87% indicating they would use the outdoor facility.
Before being withdrawn, the planning application submitted to DDC received support from residents, with 53 comments registered and none opposing the scheme.
It is hoped the new gym on Walmer seafront will be installed by mid-September. Picture: Walmer Town Council
Sally Russell commented: “There are many benefits, physical and mental, of regular exercise, and few opportunities for people to find a variety of free options to engage with something they will enjoy.
“This facility will be a great asset to the town and something of which we can be rightly proud.”
Earlier this year, Kompan’s latest Kent project, a new £78,000 play park, eight years in the making, was unveiled.
More than 100 people attended the opening of the site in Lympne, near Hythe, which boasts slides, swings, a seesaw, a trampoline and a climbing frame.
Last year, the equipment supplier also installed a new train-themed play park near the bandstand in Ashford town centre, in the raised planter area outside B&M and CeX.
The £150,000 development was part of Ashford Borough Council’s “town centre reset”, which hopes to increase visitors’ time in the area.