£45m leisure centre takes step forward

The controversial £45 million Ayr Leisure Centre plan is one step closer to becoming reality after two decisions went in its favour this week.

Councillors gave the centre planning permission last Wednesday, albeit by a single vote at the Regulatory Panel.

And a proposal by the Conservative group to scrap the project and retain the Citadel at Thursday’s budget setting meeting was also defeated.

The leisure centre plan has been the target for a number of vocal critics who have complained about the loss of a number of existing facilities, such as a sports hall and diving pool. There was significant pushback during Thursday’s debate from SNP, Labour and Independent councillors on the Conservatives’ proposal to scrap the leisure centre plan, allocating £6.6m to town centre works and £1m to the seven wards outwith Ayr town centre.

The opposition proposals were presented by councillor Ian Davis. He argued that no evidence had been provided to demonstrate that building a leisure centre would increase footfall. But administration councillors lined up to hit out at the Conservatives’ proposals. They hit out at the figures provided for the refurbishment of the Citadel Leisure Centre. The Conservatives’ proposals would provide £3m-a-year over three years. But councillors pointed to a figure of £22m that had been cited in the business case used to decide on the new town centre facility. Councillor Davis said his party did not agree that the leisure centre would increase footfall in the town centre and regeneration required a “broader approach”.