South Ayrshire Council's leader has revealed his ambitions for a ‘joined up’ Ayr, with the Esplanade central to the Conservative administration’s approach.
Councillor Martin Dowey said that the plan for Ayr’s shoreline was to provide facilities and attractions that would create an attractive walk from the town centre, down the esplanade to the Millennium Bridge.
While Cllr Dowey said he would like to see the work carried out in the next two years, no costs have been determined.
Options being considered include:
- Regenerating the old slip and bringing it back into use
- A makeover for Esplanade, including coloured LED lighting and red tarmac
- Reinstating crazy golf course and boating pond
- Sheltered ‘pod’ seating
The plans tie into proposals for reinstating the path between Ayr and Prestwick and rebuilding the bridge across the River as part of Coastal and Bike Path.
The plans for the old slip dock would not be without controversy, with the dilapidated Watchful fishing boat likely to be removed, given the cost of refurbishment is estimated at £80,000.
Cllr Dowey said: “We want to reinstate the slipway. This is where fishing boats were built, when it was a working dock.
“I would quite like to put big pictures showing how the dock used to look.
“The slip could be used by coastal rowers as a launch. Clubs can also attract funding that the council cannot.
“We would light the bridge over the slip then all the way down to the Millennium Bridge. We are also looking to light up public buildings.
“On special occasions, such as Armistice Day, Christmas or St Andrew’s Day, they could be lit in the appropriate colours.”
The esplanade would also be relaid with red tarmac, he added.
“This is a once a decade type of improvement, so we want to get it looking as good as possible.”
“Some folk might think it is boring, but it makes the place look nice and will help the perception of the town.
“This work will help join up the town. We have Burns Statue Square redeveloped, all way down the High Street we will reintroduce traffic.
“We hope that we are in a position to revamp the Citadel, and we also have the archives at the Grammar school.
Heading south, you reach the overgrown crazy golf course, which has been closed for the last five years.
Cllr Dowey said the course would be put back out to tender, adding that there could also be an option to build a kiosk which could also sell drinks and snacks – a model used successfully elsewhere.
Adjacent to the course is an green space which could be used for semi-enclosed benches and tables, to deal with the west coast weather.
Cllr Dowey said he asked officers to look into these ‘pods’.
He said: “I don’t want to know what they do in the South of France, I want to know what they do in Norway, what they do in Sweden.
“So, as long as it is dry, you can take a picnic and your aren’t going to get killed by the wind.”
The ‘pods’ could also be used near the boating pond, which is another attraction that Cllr Dowey hopes will bring a partner onboard.
As well as the crazy golf and boating pond franchises, the administration aims to support other traders and partners down to the esplanade, whether that is kids rides, kiosks or cafés.
He added that much of the land is part of Ayr Common Good. Any income would be used to stabilise and maintain properties.
One of the issues facing the council is time.
Cllr Dowey said: “There are certain things we can do over the winter. It is important that for this time next year we are ready to go as soon as the summer season closes.
“We do not want it coming to a nice sunny day in March and there isn’t anything to do.”
The southern ‘cornerstone’ of the esplanade plan is the Ayr India premises. Cllr Dowey suggested that the building could be expanded and improved, but insisted that there would be discussions with the tenants.
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