A LONG-standing Irvine karate club are hoping their move to a new dojo can benefit the whole community.

Kenshin Shukokai Karate has been operating in the town for close to a decade, with the non-profit club providing coaching to both children and adults from across the area.

Back in May of this year, owner and chief instructor Martin McCall started the process of moving the club to a new home - a vacant premises on Eglinton Street.

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While the club had been thriving in the Towerlands Community Centre, Martin felt a new dojo would allow the club to continue its growth further.

After months of painstaking work, the project is now complete - with the new premises officially opened at the end of last month.

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The 4th Dan admitted that "the building was a mess inside" when he took over - though is more than pleased with how the club's new home now looks.

After the fitting of new training items, lighting, safety equipment, a security system, heating and hot water - Martin feels a space has been created that can benefit the whole of Irvine.

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It is also a project which means a lot to the Irvine man, who spent two months dedicated to the renovation which he spent £4,000 of his own money on.

He said: "Hopefully this can benefit the community and be somewhere children, teenagers adults to come along meet, train and also have a good time.

"There is a even reception area for if someone wants to come in just for a tea or coffee. 

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"The whole process has been very challenging as I am a volunteer for Kenshin Shukokai Karate and have my own job.

"However, with the support of my existing members, family and friends, we got there - which I am very proud as I can't think of a karate dojo like this in the area."

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While the facility will primarily be used as a karate dojo, Martin sees no reason why this cannot be expanded in future.

He continued: "My long term plans is to bring in other martial artists or like minded people to train and to build my club for the future for my members.

"My next project is a defibrillator for the club and community and to build changing rooms and showers.

"One I hope I also have is to possibly switch from teaching karate part-time to full-time - then I can put all I can into members and the community."

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Those looking to find out more about the club can do so via the Kenshin Shukokai Karate KS Karate Facebook page.

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