THREE Towns residents are being urged to have their say on swimming pool provision in the area.

North Ayrshire Council says time is running out to complete the online survey.

The sixth of eight drop-in events took place on Thursday, August 29, in Stevenston and the online survey has been live since 19 August.

So far more than 1,000 people have completed the survey and NAC is looking for even more by the time it closes on September 8.

This extensive engagement exercise will help shape the Council’s final recommendation on the make-up of the potential new Ardrossan campus.

Those plans will go to Cabinet on September 24 and, if approved, will then be subject to a period of statutory consultation where people will be given a further opportunity to have their say.

In outline proposals, approved by Cabinet in January, the Council announced plans to develop the new education and community campus on the vacant North Shore site.

Part of the proposed options for the campus include building a new community swimming pool in the new campus. If this is agreed it will mean the Council and KA Leisure no longer operate the swimming pool at ‘Harvies’.

If that decision is made, the Council will work with the community to see what alternative uses there are for the facility at Harvies.

Councillor Joe Cullinane, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “There isn’t that long left to get involved so please, if you want to have your say, then now is the time to do it.

“As local people know we are having this debate because we want to secure the long-term future of a publicly owned swimming pool in the Three Towns.

“I would ask everyone with an interest on this matter to take part. This is the only mechanism that will be used by the Cabinet to determine whether the pool relocates to Ardrossan or stays at Harvies.”

North Ayrshire Council has allocated £31.5 million from its capital plan to replace Ardrossan Academy. but are keen to access Scottish Government funding that will allow them to take a more innovative approach and bring the development forward.

They are also aware that the Scottish Government – who have recently committed a further £1 billion towards rebuilding schools across Scotland – will be looking for ambitious and creative thinking to secure funding. They are set to announce the first raft of successful applications in the coming weeks.

The final drop-in events take place at Auchenharvie Leisure Centre – September 3 (11am – 1pm) and 5pm – 7pm)

The online survey goes can be completed at http://www.northayrshire.community/3-towns-pool/32494/