John Deans, 5th Dan JKA and JKA Scotland Squad coach has been busy over the last several years attempting to raise funds and convert the Local Saltcoats Train Station into a new state of the art Training Centre for Physical activities.
John has managed to secure just over £500,000 from funders to develop “The Training Station.” The facility will be open for up to 25 local clubs to use at a very reasonably priced let fee and be the new home of Shibumi Karate Club. John has obtained the funding from the following sources , North Ayrshire Council, Local Planning Partnerships, Railway Heritage Trust, Scotrail, The Scottish Government and Sport Scotland . The club too has raised £10,000 by the students doing various sponsored events. The club assistant Instructors Andy Barclay and James Campbell are heavily involved too in the Project forming a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) to run the facility.
This will also hopefully employ 2 full time or four part time members of staff, boost the area which is really needed, as well as returning an old building to its former glory.
It is hoped that the great success of Shibumi Club, which has been running for 40 yrs in the three towns will continue winning at Local, National and International levels. However, anyone is welcome to come along as not everyone can be a champion but they can be the best they can and we will help them do that. Families are most welcome and discounts are available to them where 3 or more members of a family attend the classes.
The club was formally based at St Matthews Academy, Jacks Road, Saltcoats and will still use the facility there when larger events are staged. Below are a couple of images of before the project was started. Look out for the revamped shots in early February . Everyone at JKA Scotland wish Sensei John and his team the best of luck with the refurbishments.
