By Laurie Finlayson

Audit Scotland have warned Ayrshire council bosses they must prioritise a business case plan if their renovation plans for the Citadel Leisure Centre are to be given the green light.

South Ayrshire Council leaders announced a £10 million plan to over the popular leisure facility earlier this week.

The proposal will see works carried out on the swimming pools, as well as installing a new gym and café at the complex, however the proposal might not get off the ground as a business proposal has not been submitted.

The centre has been an important part of the local community in Ayr since its construction in the 1970s, however, in recent years, there have been calls for major refurbishment at the facility and plans were put into motion back in 2023.

On the development, Labour Party Councillor Brian McGinley said: “The issue is that this was carried out without a business case being made and there’s two issues for me.

“One is that the £10m that was made available for this refurbishment was part of a political budget exercise and approved through that process.”

“The second point is that a business case, if and when that has been made, are officers aware of our report that was made prior to the £40m capital project for a new sport and leisure centre that said the Citadel was unfit for purpose and that it was uneconomical to repair?”