THE new council coalition will push for a new leisure centre in the town, throwing the future of the Citadel into question.

There has been speculation in the town regarding the location of the venue following the SNP’s local election manifesto last month.

The group want to relocate the facility in the town centre in a bid to create vitality and generate footfall to the area. But there are currently no plans in place to take this plan forward just now.

If the proposals go ahead, they will consider an alternative use for the land including the possibility for housing development for private and other forms of accommodation.

The Citadel Leisure Centre is a multi activity sports and entertainments facility and is used for a variety of activities.

The main hall has been used over the years for a variety of sports including football, basketball, badminton, hockey and netball. 

It would appear that SNP, Labour and Independent administration are on the same wavelength when it comes to developing a leisure centre in the middle of the town.

The former council did want to transform the Kyle Centre by installing a multiplex cinema but they failed to find a buyer for the building.

There had also been hopes that restaurants would be interested in setting up shop in the vicinity too. Now the new council seem determined to find a solution.

They will look at the future of Burns House and Odeon Cinema and the potential of establishing more leisure facilities in the middle of the town which could include a new swimming pool.

Depute Leader, Brian McGinley, said: “Once the bottom end of the town has been restored we can look at the top end and start addressing issues with Burns House and Station Hotel. 

“When that has been completed we will look to develop the middle and the possibility of a cinema complex there.”