Ayrshire Post

Three swimming poolplans

- SARAH HILLEY

Ayr’s new £40 million leisure centre could boast three swimming pools if given the go-ahead.

An early outline shows two of the pools may have movable floors so the water depth can be changed when needed.

More details have come to light as councillor­s prepare to vote on whether to pave the way for a consultati­on on the venture.

The leisure centre is to be built on the site of Hourstons, the Arran Mall and the car park on Dalblair Road - and would repace the Citadel.

A council report said: “The creation of a leisure hub would increase footfall and extend the active hours of this area of the town centre, allowing more nightlife to thrive and more community activities to take place.”

The local authority has already splashed out £621,500 on Hourstons and set aside £3.7 million to buy the Arran Mall.

A report due to go before the council’s Leadership Panel said the front part of Hourstons is to be retained and incorporat­ed into the building.

A footprint of the building shows cars can enter from Dalblair Road and Alloway Street with pedestrian access also from both roads.

Potential features of new leisure centre according to council:

A 25 x 17 metre eight lane competitio­n pool with mobile floor and timing system.

Flexible pool measuring 20 x 10 metres with mobile floor.

A 220 metre2 family fun area Wet changing area Spectator seating for 140 And the proposals include a gym, cafe and hall.

It is estimated the new two storey building could handle 50 per cent more swimming lessons that the Citadel.

Ruling SNP and Labour councillor­s are due to vote on whether a ‘new project request’ for the leisure centre should be submitted to public - private partnershi­p organisati­on HubSW to appoint contractor­s.

The leisure centre paper will come in front of the politician­s at a Leadership Panel meeting next week held in private.

The developmen­t plan is still at an early stage and would go through a public consultati­on process before constructi­on gets the go-ahead.

Opposition Conservati­ve councillor­s are against the new build and want the Citadel refurbishe­d instead.

They would prefer the rundown South Harbour Street pool to receive a £9 million makeover instead.

 ??  ?? Leisure The Citadel hosts the exisiting swimming pool in Ayr
Leisure The Citadel hosts the exisiting swimming pool in Ayr

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