The centre has seen extensive work carried out over the past year to allow the upper floors of the east wing to be brought into use after having lain derelict for a number of years.
The £730k project follows major funding from the Moffat Charitable Trust, North Ayrshire Council, the Robertson Trust, Magnox Ltd (Hunterson 'A') and Ayrshire Leader.
West Kilbride Community Association (WKCA) has driven the project, including the fundraising, as well as contributing a substantial sum from their own funds. It also established a partnership arrangement with KA: Leisure who will operate and manage the fitness facilities as KA Campus West Kilbride.
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The restoration work included:
- Refurbishment and reconfiguration of the first and second floors of the East Wing
- A new community gym and dance studio on the first floor
- New toilets and spacious changing facilities on the second floor together with a further open plan space currently earmarked for the West Kilbride Amateur Boxing Club
- Improved access and changing facilities for disabled users
- Improved insulation, renewed electrics, new air handling and climate control systems
John Wilson, WKCA Development Convener, said: "This is the latest and most ambitious stage in the development of the Community Centre. Our vision has been to create affordable, high quality fitness facilities for local people. We are delighted with the quality that has been achieved and I’m sure everyone who uses it will be impressed. We are immensely grateful to our funders who have made this possible."
(JP/MH)
