AMBITIOUS plans to develop a new £2million Water Sports Centre in Troon were floated at a meeting of the town’s Community Council last Tuesday.

The project is being developed by Troon Coastal Rowing Club, in partnership with Ayr Sea Cadets.

A piece of land in Port Ranald Drive adjacent to Troon Recycling Centre is proposed for the major new sporting hub.

Club representative Vincent McWhirter said: “In three years the rowing clubhouse has grown out of all proportion. We need a new facility, as with kite surfing, sailing, boating and canoeing all going on in the area, we have clientele for a multi-purpose water sports centre, run by the community and for the community. 

“In the last three years we have got some grants and over the last year a construction company to do a feasibility study. The building will have showers, a training area and kitchen area. 

“The Big Lottery, RYA and Sportscotland are all keen on our plans. We intend to go for full planning permission. The South Ayrshire Council estates department have agreed in principle a 50-year lease at a peppercorn rate of £250 a year. It is very ambitious at £2million but for what we are getting for the building it is money well spent.”

Ayr Sea Cadets Commanding Officer Kenny Bell said: “We are the only Sea Cadets unit in South Ayrshire. There is not a community boat centre in the whole of this area apart from Prestwick which is a private members club. We specialise in getting kids off the street from Prestwick Troon, Whitletts, Dalmilling and Maybole and Cumnock and New Cumnock.

“The aim of the Sea Cadets is to give boys the best possible head start in life through nautical adventure and fun. We have been using the Troon Yacht Haven marina but it’s not ideal as there is nowhere to store boats.

This would be a real sports hub - we want to be partners in it and get our kids into the water.”

The Cadets raised £35,000 last year in grant funding and fundraising activities with the view of working with the coastal rowing community, South Ayrshire Council Education, Active Learning and Outdoor Schools. 
They also ran a successful pilot using new rowing boats and delivered some taster sessions at Maidens.