Diving club 'incredibly disappointed' as bid to reinstate pool rejected by councillors

A bid to reinstate diving facilities at Ayr’s Citadel Leisure Centre has been rejected, leaving athletes “incredibly disappointed”.

The motion lodged by councillors called on South Ayrshire Council to reverse an earlier decision to remove diving provision at the pool.

Members were asked to temporarily restore diving from the 3m and 5m platforms for one year, using £70,000 of council reserves.

A two-thirds majority required to approve the motion was not reached, meaning the last diving pool in the west of the country will be closed.

Glasgow & West

Bid to reinstate diving pool with £70,000 funds

The proposal would see £70,879 allocated from council reserves to cover the reinstatement

The pool has long been used for diving lessons and training, with groups campaigning for the facilities to be reinstated.

Ayr Diving Club said in a statement: “We are incredibly disappointed that councillors chose not even to hear directly from the athletes, coaches and constituents that they represent before making this decision.

“We believe the process has failed the young people at the heart of this campaign, and the future of diving on the west coast of Scotland has now been placed at serious risk.”

South Ayrshire Council’s policy lead for Sport, Leisure and Communities, councillor Chris Cullen, said the Citadel is an “ageing 60–70 year old tank-style pool which was never designed as a modern permanent diving facility”.

He added that to safely operate the boards, the pool must be repeatedly overfilled, which is causing water ingress and structural deterioration.

He added: “I fully recognise the passion and dedication shown by Ayr Diving Club, its coaches, volunteers, athletes and families. This has never been a debate about the value of diving as a sport or the importance of the club to those involved.

“Temporary reinstatement for one year does not resolve the underlying engineering, environmental or financial problems. It would knowingly continue a process that specialist advice has confirmed is causing damage to the building fabric.

“The proposal also significantly understates the true financial position. The figures presented do not account for wider operational pressures, ongoing structural deterioration, future repair liabilities, staffing impacts, or the substantial risk associated with continuing non-compliant operating conditions.

“Council officers, aquatic specialists and external partners, including Sportscotland and Scottish Swimming, have engaged on this issue over several years. While all parties support diving in principle, no viable or funded long-term capital solution has been identified.”

Councillor Cullen added: “I want to be absolutely clear, this is not about being anti-diving. It is about balancing difficult decisions responsibly, protecting public assets, managing long-term risk and ensuring sustainable aquatic provision for the greatest number of residents.

“I remain committed to continuing dialogue with stakeholders, including Sportscotland and Scottish Swimming, regarding future opportunities for modern, purpose-built diving provision should viable funding opportunities emerge.”