Auchinleck Leisure Centre could be demolished under plans to streamline the sports and leisure offering in Cumnock and surrounding areas through one centralised management system.

It comes as the council consider proposals to bring various publicly funded local providers of sport and leisure facilities under the management of East Ayrshire Leisure Trust (EALT) in order to save funds and improve options.

The leisure centre, part of Auchinleck Academy, which is due for demolition before the end of 2021, would cost £2.9million to retain as a standalone building, says a council report that was due to be presented before the Cabinet of East Ayrshire Council on Wednesday, October 28.

The report states that the costs involved with keeping the centre open would prove “prohibitive”, but advises that further options be explored with community groups and stakeholders before any decision is made.

The plans are for EALT to manage community facilities within the new Barony Campus; Visions Leisure Centre; Auchinleck Synthetic Grass Pitches; Merlin Park football grounds; Cumnock Area path network; Auchinleck Boswell Centre and Library; The Baird Institute; Cumnock Town Hall; and Cumnock Library.

The belief is that through one centralised management of these sites, public money can be saved through the sharing of resources that collaboration would entail.

One such way money could be saved would be through a central booking system for the sites, rather than the three separate ones there are currently, says the report.

Councillor Elena Whitham, Chair of East Ayrshire Leisure Trust and Depute Leader of East Ayrshire Council said: “The new school campus has been the catalyst for most of these proposals as it presented us with an opportunity to review what amenities were already in existence in the area and to consider how we can enhance provision, in a well-managed, and more efficient manner, taking full advantage of what the Cumnock area has to offer for residents and visitors alike.

“The proposals being considered by Cabinet this week have been developed in partnership with key stakeholders from the local sporting community including Auchinleck Leisure Centre, Cumnock Juniors Enterprise Company and Cumnock and District Leisure Group who manage Visions Leisure Centre.”