A multi-million pound makeover of the Galleon Centre could get underway in April 2023.
Work on the Kilmarnock centre was delayed by the pandemic and leisure bosses say the project was paused to see if the centre would remain 'viable' post-covid.
The centre's £13.859 million refurbishment was agreed by East Ayrshire Council's cabinet in 2019 with the proposal of creating a new leisure facility rejected.
Now more than three years on it's understood council officers are working on proposals to take to cabinet in December this year.
The Galleon relied heavily on hardship investments from the council during the global health crisis with East Ayrshire providing a hardship grant of £150,000 and the centre was later handed a further £80,000 to solve cashflow issues.
But a statement from Kilmarnock Leisure Trust says that despite the challenges the centre has proved its worth and importance to the community.
The statement reads: "The cabinet approved a capital investment from East Ayrshire Council of £13.859m to facilitate the refurbishment of the Galleon Leisure Centre in 2019.
"During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 leading to the complete closure of the centre, after operating 5 months on its own reserves with no income or external funding the centre had to request hardship support from East Ayrshire Council to ensure operational sustainability.
"In the period up to April 2021 following a series of lockdowns, Covid-19 restrictions and reduced capacity/footfall, the centre had to continue relying on council support to remain operational. The support was agreed; however, the decision was taken to pause the refurbishment project for a period of two years to assess if we were viable to operate.
"Despite the challenges we faced including ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, staffing issues, increased operational and utility costs and reduced footfall, the centre has marked a journey to recovery to prove its viability, worth and importance to the community.
"Whilst we still have many more hurdles to face, our hope is to restart the refurbishment project in April 2023 and work towards rejuvenating the much loved and well used facility, reducing the operational cost, and bringing in a breath of new life. We hope that you will give us your support, patience and understanding during this period. "
East Ayrshire Council said pausing the refurbishment will allow the council to 'review' local sporting and leisure needs.
A spokesperson for East Ayrshire Council said: "East Ayrshire Council as part of its hardship investment, agreed to pause the refurbishment programme in order to give the Galleon Centre space and time to recover from the pandemic.
"Pausing the refurbishment will also to allow the Council, working with the Galleon Centre, time to review the local sporting and leisure needs post pandemic and this work will be starting soon.
"The council recognises that our residents behaviours in terms of sports, fitness and wellbeing have changed as a result of the pandemic and wishes to ensure that the capital investment into the Galleon Centre has the biggest impact possible.
"Officers working with the Galleon Centre aim to bring a report to Council’s Cabinet by the end of December this year, setting out recommendations for taking forward the capital investment."
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
