Time to clear decks for rugby club’s future

Super Six semi- professional rugby coming to Ayr, the prestige and huge commercial spin- offs that come with it and Ayr Rugby Club moving to a new all- weather, custom built stadium in the town centre.

Yes - apart from my application to become an Ayr RFC member – the news just gets better and better for the league topping Millbrae men. But what’s this . . . a flea in the dressing room liniment?

My mole in a certain planning department tells me the “new, custom built stadium” might not be all ‘ new’ or ‘ custom built’ after all.

“The old concrete stand – it’s a ‘ B’ listed building . . .” he whispered down the phone. Oh dear. Much as I want to support and save Ayr’s architectural heritage – I honestly can’t see the merit in letting this structure overshadow an exciting new phase for Ayr and Ayr RFC.

Is it historically important or aesthetically significant? I don’t think so. In fact, it’s only real claim to any fame is that Rod Stewart once dropped his shorts in it!

Ayr RFC and its future franchise holders need a clear, broad canvas from which to build for the future.

The Dam Park stand isn’t quite a concrete carbuncle – but it could be an albatross around the neck of any future development.