COUNCILLORS have quizzed officers over a delay to work on Ayr’s Citadel Leisure Centre.

The initial phase of the works was due to start in early November, and was to see a section of the existing roof replaced to address water ingress.

This will enhance the roof’s thermal performance and the overall energy efficiency of the building.

The planned exterior work includes renewal of some of the glazing around the centre and brickwork repairs.

The centre will be open as normal to customers and sport and leisure members during the exterior works, which are expected to last for around 19 weeks.

After these are complete, the next phase of the upgrade will commence and the council will provide more details about this in a future update.

Councillor Philip Saxton, South Ayrshire Council’s service and partnerships performance panel chair, asked service lead Alistair Mutch: “I understand there’s work on the roof of the Citadel that was to start on October 13.

“This has been delayed for some reason. Can you give us some information?”

Mr Mutch responded: “The contractors are now on-site, constructing preliminary works. They do have the staff welfare facilities, and the car park is realigned to accommodate all of those ahead of the roof repairs.

“So the works will start, I believe, over the next month as those prelim works are concluded.

“That will include sections of the roof to be replaced which are causing water ingress, and a large rooflight at first floor level to be replaced as well.

“The main works will be carried out in phases and are due to start in March 2025. That will be completed across several phases, but overall completion will be mid-2026.”

He outlined the broader work that is to be carried out at the leisure centre.

He said: “The planned work will provide a high quality leisure complex, promoting accessible health and physical activity opportunities in South Ayrshire.

“The refurbished leisure centre will be designed into current technical design guidance, published by Sportscotland and other national bodies. 

“The scope of works will include a combination of existing, new and refurbished facilities and, although the planned works will not upgrade the full building, it will include the following areas:

  • new reception area and entrance, new café situated at the front of the facility, a new kitchen and servery attached to that as well.
  • new spa facilities provided there, and these will be relocated close to poolside.
  • refurbished wet changing rooms, a new family activity hub and play hub and new dry changing rooms, which will be relocated to the ground floor and established by the new gym and studios.
  • a new fitness gym, including a mezzanine floor, in the existing games hall, will provide a two-level gym space.
  • three new state-of-the-art fitness studios,  a high-impact studio, new spin studio, and a new wellness suite.
  • refurbished toilets and circulation areas. New change-in-places facilities, and additional rented spaces are provided there as well."