Situated on Girvan Harbour, the new facility will be operated by South Carrick Community Leisure (SCCL) through a service level agreement, and will be delivered by hub South West Scotland and contractor Morrison Construction, on behalf of South Ayrshire Council.

Designed by architects Archial Norr, the £6 million development will provide a brand new two storey building, housing a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness suite, a cafe, a multi-purpose studio/ community space and soft play area.

Michael McBrearty, chief executive, hub South West, said: “We have once again enjoyed a positive working relationship with South Ayrshire Council to develop and deliver a facility which will deliver real community benefit both through its delivery and well into its operation.

“This milestone marks the sixth project we have closed with South Ayrshire Council and our second in 2016. We are proud to be part of a project which has the community at its heart and congratulate SCCL and the people of Carrick on reaching this important stage.

“The project further demonstrates hubs ability to deliver a range of projects and deliver meaningful benefits to the wider community.”

To achieve this financial close and allow works to get underway South Ayrshire Council have contributed over 72 per cent of the overall fee of the project with remaining funds coming from a variety of partners including sportscotland, the Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, the William Grant Foundation, Girvan Regeneration Fund, Carrick Futures, Hadyard Hill Community benefit Fund and Scottish Power Renewables Kilgalioch Wind Farm.

Councillor Bill McIntosh, leader of South Ayrshire Council, added: “The new leisure and community facility will be the first of its kind built by this council in almost 20 years and I couldn’t be more proud that it will be making a huge difference for people and communities in Girvan and South Carrick.

“Our aim was always to do things in the right way and, in partnership SCCL and the terrific community input it offered, that’s exactly what we’re doing.

“There’s a new era about to get underway in Girvan and South Carrick and it starts now- I hope every person, in every community, is ready to play their part in ensuring its success.”

The facility is scheduled to open in Spring 2017.