The charity arm of an Ayrshire football club has unveiled plans to transform a tired old pavilion into a thriving community hub.
Vics in the Community, the charitable arm of Whitletts Victoria FC, have submitted proposals to refurbish the old pavilion at Glenmuir Place, Ayr.
Their proposals have been lodged with South Ayrshire Council’s planning department and listed as ‘pending consideration’ on the local authority’s online planning portal.
The club has big plans in store after taking on the asset transfer of ‘New Voluntary Park’ Astro Park and pavilion.
Now they want to “upgrade and redesign” the internal layout of the existing building, next to Whitletts Activity Centre, into a modern facility “fit for its new purpose” as changing facilities and community hub.
The proposals include a reception, two team changing rooms with associated shower and toilet facilities, two smaller changing rooms with associated shower and toilet facilities; referee changing room with associated shower and toilet facilities, first aid room with massage table, multi purpose/function room with kitchen/bar servery; male and female toilet facilities, universal access toilet facility and access ramp.
And LMA Architects have been appointed by Vics In The Community to act as their agent in the project.
In a planning statement LMA Architects said: “The proposals are to upgrade and redesign the internal layout of the existing building into a modern facility fit for its new purpose as changing facilities and community hub.”
Ayrshire Live can reveal that the multi-purpose room is earmarked for a drop in café, which would be open to the public five days a week from 9am until 5pm.
LMA Architects said: “This space would be used at the weekends to provide hospitality for football matches and other events, and will support other activities in the hub such as breakfast clubs for children and lunch clubs.
“The Committee of Whitletts Victoria FC have strong community values and the development of the club is based around their desire to not only be a focal point for and to serve the local community, but to provide opportunities for the people living within the community that may not otherwise be available to them.”
Since 2011, the club had been playing their home matches at Dam Park Stadium, Ayr.
However, with the sale earlier this year of Dam Park to Ayr Rugby Club, Vics needed a new home ground.
And in March, Ayrshire Live revealed how a deal had been struck when Council chiefs agreed to the sale of Dam Park in a move which would see Whitletts Victoria return to their home patch.
To help fund the cost of refurbishing the pavilion the club has set up a GoFundMe page, where they hope to raise £15,000.
To donate go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/refurbishment-of-pavillion-at-new-facility
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