A GROUP campaigning for the future of Auchinleck Leisure Centre has said it has secured funding for a feasibility study to potentially save the building from the brink of demolition.

Auchinleck Leisure Community Committee (ALCC) said the money will allow an independent report to be completed, which could stop the planned razing of the site.

The pool and centre officially closed earlier this year after East Ayrshire Council deemed parts of it to be unsafe following recommendations.

It was announced that thousands of pounds had been spent on the local authority-owned facility, by the end of December 2023, on reactive repairs to the building.

Groups gathered to oppose the closure.Groups gathered to oppose the closure (Image: NQ Archive) Groups of people gathered to try to stop the closure of the well used centre.

The centre's closure would then allow plans to move ahead for new facilities to be built at Merlin Park in Auchinleck.

In June this year, it was said that the whole project, including the demolition of old buildings and creation of new ones, would be completed by April or May 2025.

The ALCC announcement may have thrown a spanner into those works.

READ MORE: Decision made on future of Auchinleck Leisure Centre 

READ MORE: Update provided on Auchinleck Academy demolition and Merlin Park move

Announcing the new funding, a group spokesperson said: "We have received lottery funding to allow us to get an independent feasibility study done on the centre so we have accurate figures to see what it would take to be able to have it back in use.

"Whilst this would probably not include the pool at this moment in time even to save the football parks and halls for local clubs to start with and then let us look into funding in the future for the pool.

"There has been serious vandalism to the building which will not help our cause, so we are begging the people of Auchinleck to speak to their children and also help us protect what is left so there is something to fight for."

A move to the nearby Merlin Park has been cited.A move to the nearby Merlin Park has been cited (Image: NQ Archive) They added: "Once we have the figures we will know if it’s possible and then be able to approach different organisations for funding.

"Let’s not give up on Auchinleck and fight for what we and our children deserve."

East Ayrshire Council has been approached for comment.