A wishlist for a refurbished Galleon Leisure Centre has been drawn up by its operators.
But rising costs of between £20m to £25m is likely to mean some facilities are ruled out.
Kilmarnock Galleon Leisure Trust’s proposals include:
- A new gym and fitness suite
- A new health suite and cafe
- Kids Zone
- Suites from meetings and services
- Upgrades to pools, changing facilities, ice rink, and bowling hall
They also seek further improvements on the exterior and to the mechanical and electrical systems.
A tentative timescale suggests that the newly refurbished centre could be finished by December 2026.
A report to East Ayrshire Council states: “It is important to highlight that although this is the preferred option by the Galleon Trustees, this is unlikely to be affordable within the financial envelope already approved.”
It adds that a review of the capital budget will ‘undoubtedly’ lead to a reduction in how much the council spends.
The need to improve the Galleon followed an assessment in 2018, which highlighted the deterioration of the building, which was opened in 1987.
Officials had recommended building a new centre at the Galleon site, at an estimated cost of £33m.
In June 2019, councillors opted to refurbish and repurpose the Galleon, with £13.85m allocated for the work, albeit recognising it would likely require additional funds.
This was confirmed later when the estimated cost was raised to £17.75m. The latest update shows that costs have risen once again, to £20.6m, largely due to the impact of Covid, Brexit and rising energy costs.
The Galleon was significantly impacted by the Covid pandemic through 2020, which effectively brought their income stream to a halt.
This did, however, provide an opportunity to re-evaluate the plans.
The report states: “It is recognised that there is potential to develop the Galleon project in a more connected manner with other town centre priorities.
“There is currently funding approved as part of the Capital Programme to develop a Health and Wellbeing Hub within Kilmarnock, and as Health and Wellbeing remains a priority for the Council and partners, there is a real potential to maximise the impact of such investment.”
It adds that the anticipated increase in footfall at the centre could ‘positively influence the regeneration of that area of town.
The Galleon Trust have indicated that while they would be seeking additional funding, this would not meet the shortfall.
The additional funding required is expected to be between £6m and £11m. Were the council to borrow a £9m, the report adds, it would increase EAC debt repayments by £460k a year.
The figures do not take into account the council’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint.
The report states that, while retaining and refurbishing an existing building has a lower carbon impact than a new build, the upgrade to a 1980s centre like the Galleon is ‘particularly challenging’.
The council has had recent experience of retrofitting St Sophia’s Primary School to Enerphit standards.
To achieve the same at the Galleon would be more than £40m, broadly comparable with a new build.
Councillors will be asked to approve an assessment to determine how much benefit such a move would bring.
Any refurbishment would be phased ‘to ensure that, wherever practical, some areas remain operational’.
The report explains: “The broad approach currently being considered involves three main phases. Firstly, formation of the new gym and fitness suite with separate entrance; secondly, the pool, changing and health suite and thirdly, remaining areas including ice rink, kids zone, reception and café. ”
Councillors will be asked to approve spending of £400k to develop a more detailed plan.
The report concludes: “A financially sustainable Galleon Centre will help meet the demands of the future and support Covid-19 recovery and renewal, particularly around a shared approach to wellbeing which will include greater emphasis on health improvement, active lifestyles, prevention and community based interventions.”
Councillors will consider the report on Thursday, December 15.
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