Disappointment as Ayr's new £40m leisure centre won't include diving facilities
The plans for the Citadel replacement are being criticised
Last updated 25th Aug 2021
Plans for a new £40m leisure centre in Ayr, replacing the Citadel, are being criticised.
The venue in the town centre will not have diving platforms, meaning no facilities for the sport anywhere in the west of Scotland. The nearest would be in Edinburgh.
Peter Smith, a former Commonwealth Games diver, who is now president of Ayr Diving Club, said the diving community are “deeply disappointed”
He said: “It (the decision) will also have a knock-on effect on diving in Scotland as a whole, as there will only be three clubs left in the whole country (Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen).
“This doesn’t make for a very interesting, or competitive, inter-club scene.
“The Citadel may have only had very modest diving facilities compared to the other clubs in Scotland, but in spite of that the club has produced Commonwealth-level divers and Scottish champions in years gone by.”
The new leisure centre also won’t have a sports hall for groups to hire out.
A real backwards step
Local MSP and former Olympic athlete, Brian Whittle, said: “What we have seen over the last couple of years is community facilities being stripped out and opportunities reduced, especially in rural communities. I think it would be a real backwards step and something that we need to campaign against.
“It’s that opportunity not just to participate. For those few who want to go on to a higher level, if the community asset isn’t there, those people will be lost to the sport and they won’t have the opportunity be everything they could be.
“I have campaigned hard to maintain and develop community leisure facilities and infrastructure to allow communities to take part as much as possible. To be honest, I think community sport is an answer to a lot of the issues we currently have.”
The proposals
A statement from South Ayrshire Council says: "Outline proposals for the new Leisure Centre were presented to South Ayrshire Council’s Leadership Panel on Tuesday 24th August. The proposals for the new leisure centre include a gym (fitness studio) as well as a number of other flexible studios to accommodate a range of activities including spin classes, aerobics, Pilates, yoga and circuit training. The proposal also incorporates a 25m 8-lane competition pool, a 20m flexible pool and a family fun area.
"It is proposed that some of the facilities that are currently available at the Citadel Leisure Centre will not be replicated in the new facility. For example the proposal does not include a main hall as sports which are traditionally played in this type of arena can be accommodated within our existing sports facilities and our Education Estate. This will ensure that these facilities which are based within our communities are used more effectively to widen participation.
Significant research
"The proposals are based on a significant amount of research, analysis and extensive consultation with a range of stakeholders. We want to ensure that the facilities that are being proposed for the new leisure centre will be better than those currently available in the Citadel and ensure that there is sufficient space to allow a wide range of activities to take place.
"The inclusion of diving facilities into the design would have a significant impact on the ability to increase participation levels for dry and swim-based activities/lessons and would not contribute to the flexible approach we are aspiring to.
"While we know that will be disappointing for some people, the new flexible space will allow us to significantly increase the numbers able to take part in our swimming lessons while also developing a centre that visitors to the area will enjoy.
"We are working with the design company to ensure that we deliver the best possible facility and we are confident that the new centre will be a fantastic asset and the facilities available will be exciting and attractive to people of all ages who live, work or visit South Ayrshire."