Have your say
People will be given a say on plans to regenerate Ayr town centre. the ambitious proposals include an “Olympic- class” swimming pool to replace the aging Citadel in the town’s High street. the recently cleared Riverside block will become a public square under the shake- up. Plans for a museum in the town Hall and to convert empty shop units for housing have also been put forward. Council leader Douglas Campbell ( left) said: “It will be a large public square and we want to ask people if they think it is a good idea.”
An “Olympic” class swimming pool is earmarked for Ayr High Street to replace the aging Citadel, writes Sarah Hilley
And the recently cleared Riverside block will become a public square, radical new council proposals reveal.
A museum in the Town Hall and a drive to convert empty shop units for housing have also been put forward.
It is all part of South Ayrshire Council’s answer to save the ailing High Street and politicians are launching a consultation to get feedback.
Revealing the masterplan, council leader Douglas Campbell said: “The Citadel is coming to the end of its useful life. We would like to speak to people about moving the swimming pool into the middle of the town.”
It would be sited at the Arran Mall if the plans get the go- ahead.
Deputy council leader Brian McGinley said: “There is potential for an Olympic style swimming pool. We need Ayr to be a destination.
“If we move it to the town centre we will have other businesses coming in because of the increased footfall.”
Replacing the High Street with an easy clean surface to get rid of chewing gum and other grime is another proposal to clean up the town.
Council offices have been ruled out for good at the Riverside site after public protest over designs. Instead council staff would work at the newly refurbished old Clydesdale Bank building, other existing offices and a new archives base at Ayr Academy.
Councillor Campbell said: “It will be a large public square and we want to ask people if they think it is a good idea.”
Planning rules are to be changed so empty ground floor shops can be transformed into homes.
Councillor Campbell said: “We need to reduce the number of shops in Ayr. One way to do that is to move residential accommodation down to the ground floor. We want to encourage residential development at the bottom of the town. We want the High Street to work 18 hours a day instead of eight. The town centre is dead at night. It is off putting. People go to Prestwick for the buzz.”
Councillor McGinley said: “Retail is dead. The town centre needs to be re- invigorated.”
It is hoped the empty former bridal shop at the Town Hall could house a new museum.
Councillor Campbell said: “We have some fantastic artefacts hidden away. Let’s get them out in the open.”
All ideas have yet to undergo public consultation.