Alpro on the ball in Kent

Shearlocks from Alpro Architectural Hardware are being used to secure the Three Hills Sports Park in Folkestone, Kent. The £7m park is a centre of sporting excellence providing national-standard facilities for hockey, cricket and netball.

The Alpro units have a shear holding force of 1,200kg and are securing doors on the main pavilion and indoor training facilities. They were installed as part of a £7m scheme to convert a dilapidated recreation ground into inclusive community facilities which have increased public participation in sports activities.

Independently tested to 500,000 cycles, the shearlocks are easy to install and include a built-in PCB controller. Installers and end-users benefit from adjustable time delay (0-30 seconds) and a multiple relock facility.  

Keith Parry, Divisional Sales Manager at Alpro, said: “Our EMS 1200 shearlock magnet is available in mortice or surface-mount models including glass mount as used on the pavilion at Folkestone. The design is compact which meant that the aesthetic appeal of the impressive main building with its connected viewing terrace was not compromised.”

The shearlocks offer multiple autorelock x100 in the event of misalignment. Dimensions are 230mm (l) x 51mm (w) x 51mm (d). There is a fully monitored hall effect and built-in transient and reverse polarity protection with a continuously-rated solenoid.

Three Hills Sports Park includes a cricket pitch, floodlit artificial turf pitches, gym, conference rooms and a multi-use games area. It is one of the largest multi-sports sites in the coastal area of Shepway and was opened last year by Kent-based MP the Rt Hon Hugh Robertson who at the time was Minister for Sport.

In addition to attracting small groups of users on an occasional basis, the Three Hills Sports Park hosts community club-based sports and is the home of the Folkestone Cricket Club and the Folkestone Optimist Hockey Club. The hockey facilities are of international standard.