New plan for gym to move into Girvan Community Centre

The Quay Zone (TQZ) has been closed since January, due to damage caused by storms.

Earlier this month, South Ayrshire councillors heard that TQZ had been getting back on track post-Covid when the weather brought things to a halt.

South Carrick Community Leisure recently announced that they had come to an agreement to use the vacant pool in Maybole, but had not yet found a suitable spot for the gym.

But South Ayrshire Council’s cabinet will now consider a plan to move the gym into the community centre.

However, the relocation will require several community groups who use the centre to move to alternative temporary accommodation.

The majority of the groups have either agreed to relocate to the Carrick Opportunities Centre or are able to remain in the community centre.

Girvan Community Centre (Image: LDR)

However, two of the classes run by the Opportunities in Retirement group have knocked back a number of venues. The council says it will keep working with the group to find accommodation.

The community groups that will relocate to the Carrick Opportunities Centre are Living With Leisure, Girvan District Flower Club, Parents and Toddlers Group, Girvan Friendship Group, and Alcoholics Anonymous.

One-off bookings for the community centre will also be affected by the move. The Craft Group and playgroup will remain in the community centre.

In a report to cabinet, SAC officials say that the OIR had a line-dancing group and a keep fit group for older adults.

It adds that the Carrick Opportunities Centre was deemed unsuitable for the line dancing group due to the carpeting in the venue.

While the centre was suitable for the keep fit class, the OIR told the council that it wants to be located in the same venue as the line dancing group due to the vulnerable people who participate.

Alternatives looked at included Z1 Youth Bar, which would have required a change in the days or times of sessions.

Similarly, the church hall would not be available on Wednesdays, with the line dancers refusing to change the day.

A dance studio was also ruled out as it ‘could not provide facilities for tea and coffee’.

The report will ask councillors to agree to giving the Quay Zone a temporary licence for the community centre.

It adds that any increase in the cost of temporary lets for those relocating would be met by the council,  while any ‘reasonable’ relocation costs would be met by South Carrick Community Leisure.

The report also asks councillors to  agree that officers continue to support groups who have failed to agree an alternative location and identify potential suitable accommodation for displaced groups.

A number of venues were considered for the temporary transfer, including Girvan Academy, Knockcushan Street Offices, Girvan Community Centre, Carrick Opportunities Centre and Girvan Library.

The report concludes: “The first floor of the Community Centre will not be used by South Carrick Community Leisure SCIO, therefore there will be no impact to the Play Group and Craft Group.

“A draft plan of the proposed gym floorplan has ruled out any shared space within the main hall at the Community Centre.”

The cabinet will consider the report this week.