Alliance Leisure is leading the project team who are developing the concept design proposals for the popular sport and leisure facility that is used by around 300,000 people each year.

The team is also carrying out comprehensive facility surveys which will help to shape the future of the centre, bringing new and improved facilities to Sport and Leisure members and others who use the building.

Along with Alliance Leisure, the council is gathering feedback from Sport and Leisure staff. The organisations are now meeting with groups of staff who have hands-on knowledge, listening to their views and bringing their ideas together as part of this planning stage.

Following this, they will begin to engage with customers to share progress on the Citadel proposals.

Alliance Leisure’s strategic engagement director, Paul Woodford, said: “Since our appointment in November 2023, Alliance Leisure has been leading a project team in developing concept design proposals and conducting comprehensive facility surveys. Currently, our team is actively engaging with Sport and Leisure staff to gather feedback, ensuring that the development not only meets, but exceeds expectations by incorporating insights directly from those with hands-on experience at the Citadel.”

South Ayrshire Council’s portfolio holder for sport and leisure, Councillor Brian Connolly, said: “The Citadel has been at the heart of our sport and leisure offering for decades, with generations of families in Ayr and the wider community using the much-loved facility. I’m delighted we’re now seeking the views of our teams who work from the building and look forward to seeing this form part of the wider proposals for the centre.”

South Ayrshire Council’s portfolio holder for buildings and environment, Councillor Martin Kilbride, said: “It’s great to see progress in the planning stage of the redevelopment of the Citadel Leisure Centre. This will help us to form options to ensure our investment secures its place as a modern, accessible sport and leisure facility for our members and customers.”

South Ayrshire Council’s portfolio holder for tourism, culture and rural affairs, Councillor Alec Clark said: “Great sport and leisure facilities attract locals and visitors alike, so it’s vital that we have an excellent offering in South Ayrshire. Revitalising the Citadel is just what we need to help to retain our members and entice new customers. Consulting with staff who work at the Citadel is a fantastic first step to help form options for the centre.”

Working alongside Alliance Leisure are architect and principal designer Holmes Miller, and principal contractor Robertson Construction Central West. The rest of the design and build team comprises Axiom Project Services as project managers and quantity surveyors, WSP as mechanical and electrical engineers and structural engineers Struer.