The completion of the £4 million project represents the culmination of ten years of work to develop the concept, fundraise and deliver it on site.

The centre brief was to provide a regional climbing centre, as defined by Mountaineering Scotland / Climbing Scotland, within the confines of the existing church, while faithfully conserving the building and retaining as many historic features as possible.

The Kilmarnock-based charity Above Adventure was supported by a design team including John Gilbert Architects, Narro Associates and Reid Associates, with the construction work by local contractor Emtec.

Above Adventure relied on funding from a range of sources including SportScotland, Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund along with significant financial and in-kind support from East Ayrshire Council.

The project consists of three elements – the former church hall, now a bouldering hall, changing rooms and classroom; the former church which holds the climbing hall and a new link block creating a new reception and cafe.

At the core of Above Adventure’s brief was to create a space as accessible as possible and to provide opportunities for everyone to engage in climbing and bouldering. This is reflected in facilities to support wheelchair climbing, the inclusion of a changing places toilet and a sensory room.

In 2009, the congregation moved out of the building and in the intervening years, the church’s condition deteriorated rapidly. Works required to bring the building back into use included major works to the roof, external masonry, repairs to the stained glass, significant structural repairs internally and a full re-servicing.

Project architect Scott Abercrombie said: “We are delighted to see the project completed and the community making such great use of the building, after such a long journey to get to this point. The client must be highly commended here; they set out to deliver a sports and community project, and ended up delivering a really high-quality heritage project at the same time.”

All images copyright Ross Campbell Photography