A TWELVE-YEAR dream has finally become reality with the official unveiling of a unique trampoline centre in Brentwood.

The formerly rundown Keys Hall has had a dramatic makeover into a state-of-the-art centre of excellence – in the very place regarded as the UK’s spiritual birthplace of the Olympic sport.

The Brentwood Trampoline and Activity Centre has been the brainchild of Recoil Twisters Trampoline Club chairman, Tricia Johnston. She invited the Gazette and special guests, including 1966 England World Cup star Martin Peters MBE, for a tour of the disabled-friendly facility, featuring nine sunken trampolines, on Saturday.

Keys Hall was in fact a former gymnasium at the Army barracks in Warley and was even once used by an early pioneer of trampolining, the late Ted Blake, during his Army days.

He later came to the attention of the American inventor of the sport, George Nissen and was managing director of the Nissen UK operations, for years producing trampolines from a base at Hutton Industrial Estate, until it closed in the 1980s.

During her speech at the official opening, Tricia outlined the long-running project, which began with a “light bulb” moment before gaining backing and financial support as the years passed.

Original plans were for a purpose-built facility, but as the recession hit and significant funding avenues closed, Tricia came across Keys Hall and its remarkable links to the sport.

She said: “The reason I really liked the hall , apart from the fact it’s high enough, is the history of the building, which is more than 100 years old.

“Going back to the Second World War, a chap called Ted Blake was an army physical training instructor here.

“He later joined forces with George Nissen and opened a factory in Hutton so it has kind of gone full circle now.

“Trampolining has come back home to where it all began in this country.”

Ted Blake’s son, Tim Blake, had the honour of officially opening the main trampoline hall, with the Mayor of Brentwood, Cllr Joan Holmes.

This part of the centre, which houses the sunken trampolines, has been named the Ted Blake Hall in memory of his father.

Tim Blake, who now lives in Suffolk, has fond memories of his family’s links to the town and trampolining.

He was a “crash dummy”, testing the trampolines for the Nissen factory, where he worked in his early working years.

He said: “Brentwood had the only manufacturing facility for trampolines in Europe at one time and the guy that introduced the sport to the UK and then Europe was Ted Blake, my father.

He added: “I have seen the hall’s use go from being an army gymnasium, to a function hall and now to a state-of-the-art trampoline centre, with great facilities, nice lighting and excellent equipment.”

The facility will also feature a special disabled suite, with toilet and changing facilities, alongside equipment for people of all ages and abilities, available seven-days-a-week.

The total cost of the project will be more than £400,000, although fundraising is still ongoing.