In recent memory it has been sealed off, the water allegedly too shallow to cope with a dive from height.
And competition high divers and their families had to make the arduous 166 mile return trip to Edinburgh.
The five metre dale at the Ayr Citadel pool opened suddenly again on Saturday afternoon – in a building that is doomed to closure.
The bizarre move to open the highest dale was made by South Ayrshire Council after “adjustments”.
The council leadership want to close the baths and build a new one where the Kyle Centre stands.
And one source said: “There has been no proper explanation as to why a dale deemed dangerous has now opened again.
“There are only four diving platforms remaining in Scotland so this was important to the town.
“Kids have had to trek to Meadowbank for many years and it looks as if this was uneccessary.
“It is great news but I believe the Citadel should remain open as that area near the front should be all about leisure.”
The dive tower has three jumping-off points into the flexi pool, whose depth can be changed lowering and raising the bottom.
South Ayrshire Council failed to answer the obvious question: why, after years of inaction, are they fixing it now when the want to shut the building down?
A spokeswoman said: “Whilst continuing to ensure that the facilities at the Citadel are maintained to the highest standard for our customers, the most recent work has also provided us with a permanent solution to safely reopen the 5m diving platform to support the future development of diving in South Ayrshire.
“Being one of only four dedicated diving facilities in Scotland, the recent upgrade to the pool at the Citadel offers a significant contribution both locally and nationally to the future of the sport.”
