Council chiefs have been accused of "riding roughshod" over the public in a bid to force through their new £40 million leisure centre.
South Ayrshire bosses have kickstarted a process that could see contracts on the controversial pool signed just weeks before election day next May.
Opposition councillors – who have pledged to bin the project should they be voted into power – have branded the move "reckless".
It is thought scrapping the new facility could cost the public purse up to £5m should a new administration choose to rip up any deal in May.
Tory leader Martin Dowey this week accused the ruling administration of "extreme cynicism" in attempting to rush through the new leisure centre at the site of the former Hourstons.
He said: "We have been crystal clear in our opposition to this project since day one.
"Thousands of people in South Ayrshire have also taken the time to sign petitions and lodge objections, yet it is clear those views are being disregarded.
"This council is hell-bent on riding roughshod over the views of the electorate and forcing this new leisure centre upon the town when far better options exist.
"And for the sake of just a few weeks, they could delay this process and allow the council's new administration – whomever they may be – the time to make an informed decision.
"And crucially, it is one that potentially will not cost the taxpayer millions of pounds to reverse."
A 12-week period of public consultation is now underway with the council seeking views on their plans to ditch the Citadel in Ayr and move to a new purpose-built centre in the town.
Opponents of the scheme have argued that renovating the Citadel at a fraction of the cost is the more preferable option.
And the move has been subject to a huge backlash with a loss of facilities such as diving boards leading to thousands signing a petition.
However, the council refused to acknowledge the protest, claiming it had breached their petitions' protocol.
A decision on the council's planning application is now scheduled to be made on March 2 before potentially passing on to the authority's leadership panel.
It could leave the ink on contracts being signed as voters gear up to go to the polls on May 5.
The SNP's Peter Henderson, leader of the council, said: "The council is following due process, the earliest that a decision can be made by council is March 8, 2022 (dependant on Planning decision).
"There is no driving through, rather following statutory process."
To view the planning application and provide feedback, click HERE.
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