Plans for £2.7m transformation of Troon's pool submitted

The transformation of Troon Swimming Pool is a step closer following the submission of a major planning application.

The £2.7m project aims to secure the venue’s future as a modern, accessible hub for community sport, health, and wellbeing.

Architects Holmes Miller, set out proposals for a significant extension, full internal refurbishment, and external recladding of the council-owned facility on Jubilee Road.

Background works have been ongoing, through engagement with council leisure services, staff, and user representatives, in a bid to ensure the plans are linked to the wishes of the community and operational priorities.

One of the most notable changes is a dramatic expansion of the ‘dry-side’ faciilities on offer.

The existing fitness gym, currently just 95m² and described as small, awkwardly shaped, and poorly suited to modern use, would be replaced by a 260m² purpose-designed space.

The new gym will feature cardio, strength, and free-weight zones, contemporary interior finishes, improved lighting, and enhanced ventilation to create a bright, energising environment.

Alongside it, a dedicated multi-purpose fitness studio will be introduced to cater for group exercise classes, functional training, and other flexible activities – a provision currently missing from the facility.

Council officers say this expansion is intended to meet growing community demand for high-quality gym and studio spaces, increase participation in fitness activities, and boost the venue’s commercial viability.

Another key part of the plans is a complete overhaul of the changing facilities. The current pool side changing areas – split into separate male and female spaces – have been dubbed outdated, inefficient, and unwelcoming.

These would be replaced by a modern, mixed-sex ‘changing village’ that the developers say will improve privacy and inclusivity for all users, including families, people with disabilities, and older adults.

The reconfigured plan will also reduce awkward spaces, improve circulation, and clearly separate wet and dry activity zones.

A new dry changing area will be created specifically for gym and studio users, providing appropriate support for the expanded fitness facilities.

Externally, the pool building will be reclad to improve energy efficiency, reduce maintenance needs, and give the venue a modern appearance.

The proposals reference the town’s distinctive use of red and cream sandstone, suggesting a modern interpretation of this palette to harmonise the extension with its surroundings while giving the building a stronger civic identity.

The main entrance and frontage will be redesigned to create a more inviting arrival point for visitors and a clearer connection to the town’s public realm.

Troon Swimming Pool has been a fixture in the town for decades, opening in the early 1990s to replace the outdoor swimming ‘pond’ on the seafront, which first welcomed bathers in 1931.

The outdoor pool was demolished in the late 1980s, but its adjacent Italian Rock Garden remains as a public amenity.

The current indoor facility sits just a short walk from the seafront, close to public transport links, and is well-used by both residents and visitors.

A modest 90m² extension was added in the early 2000s to create the present gym, but demand for fitness provision has since outgrown the space.

South Ayrshire Council say the redevelopment aims to:

Enhance the fitness offer to support health and wellbeing
Improve the visitor experience

Ensure accessibility and inclusivity for all users

Deliver a sustainable, energy-efficient building through fabric and service upgrades

If approved, the refurbishment and extension would be delivered while maintaining the building’s core function as a swimming and leisure centre.

The council says the investment will help secure the site’s long-term viability in an increasingly competitive leisure market and ensure Troon residents continue to benefit from high-quality public sports facilities.