A building fabric and systems upgrade at Prestwick Leisure Centre has delivered substantial energy savings within weeks of reopening, with South Ayrshire Council reporting a 60% cut in electricity consumption and a 38% reduction in gas use compared with 2023.

The efficiencies are expected to save around £45,000 a year, underscoring the refurbishment’s focus on sustainable design and operational performance.

The programme modernised core areas including a new Changing Village, a brighter and more accessible poolside, a reconfigured welcome area, and a refreshed gym environment. Vanity spaces benefited from improved lighting and amenities, while back-of-house office space was upgraded to create a better working environment for staff.

Early operational data indicates that the investment is also driving stronger utilisation. Active fitness memberships had risen by 18% compared to pre-closure levels, with total centre attendance in October up 8% on October 2023. Gym usage climbed 61% in the first month, and participation in wet-side classes, including Evolve Aqua Fit, and GP Referral sessions increased by 83%.

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Depute Leader of South Ayrshire Council and Policy Lead for Commercial/Operational Services, Councillor Alec Clark, said: "It's wonderful to see how strongly the community has responded to the Prestwick Leisure Centre refurbishment. The transformation has created a modern, welcoming and sustainable facility that our customers are clearly enjoying. The early results speak for themselves with increased memberships, higher attendance and positive feedback from both customers and staff. This success reflects the dedication of everyone involved and shows what can be achieved when we invest in our community's health and wellbeing."

South Ayrshire Council's Policy Lead for Leisure and Community Services, Councillor Chris Cullen, said: "We're thrilled with the response from our members and the wider community. The refurbishment has truly transformed Prestwick Leisure Centre, not only in terms of facilities but also in the overall experience we're able to offer. To see this strong membership growth, high satisfaction levels and sustainability savings so soon after reopening is incredibly rewarding for everyone involved in the refurbishment project and our customers who are now benefitting from the improved facilities."

South Ayrshire Council's Policy Lead for Housing and Property Services, Councillor Martin Kilbride, said: "Prestwick Leisure Centre is looking fantastic following the programme of upgrade works. We're extremely proud of the positive environmental impact the refurbishment is already having. By upgrading our systems and improving efficiency, we've managed to cut energy use significantly, meaning that we are saving on energy costs and reducing our carbon footprint at the same time."