AMBITIOUS plans are being floated to make Troon a major watersports centre and the venue for a skate park.

Councillor Philip Saxton has been in touch with two groups looking to provide the facilities, following the launch of the Troon Together Group’s findings on what people want at the Concert Hall a week past on Saturday.

“I have spoken to Jack Irvine w ho is involved in plans for a skate park and Vincent McWhirter representing Watersports and we have said we are willing to consider putting a business plan together. Marr College is the proposed venue for a skate park, which would be a great idea as we have a very successful one in Stevenston and this would be great in Troon, people could take skateboards and bikes. There’s also a big interest in watersports in the area, including rowing, kayaking and sailing,”Councillor Saxton revealed.

The Troon Together survey has been hailed a great success by Colin Roxburgh, who helped commission it.

He said: “More than 900 survey forms came back and we also interviewed 24 different representatives from local groups including business, community and environmental groups.

“That is a huge return, based on a 1,000 house survey, from which we got 340 back and 600 came from people interested enough to take time and fill it in.

“It’s an ongoing process Troon Together is a coming together of different groups to plan what is going to happen in the town over the next five years. Hopefully this will not be the end of it but the start.

“People say they love Troon, the seafront and the way the town is spread out along the coast but possibly the town centre and sea front are a bit tired. They have ideas about things like shelters, cafes along the front, recreational activities, both South Beach and Barassie. Troon has become recognised for kite surfing, wind surfing and water sport. They feel we should have more cafes and toilets on the front. Troon Together should stay together to take things forward.

“Communities have to be organised to do things themselves and the plan gives them a clear argument for what happens. There is a push to do more on the cycling front and more town centre development. There has been a very strong response from the people of Troon.”