Leisure centre use rockets after green refurb
- Prestwick Leisure Club sees memberships rise and energy costs drop after green upgrades
- South Ayrshire Council received around £720,000 from Scotland's Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund
- Building is now benefitting from new roof and wall insulation and solar panels
- Funding was administered by our team at Salix
More people are using a leisure centre in Scotland following upgrades to make it more energy efficient, which have also cut its running costs.
Prestwick Leisure Club re-opened in October 2025 following the works - including new roof and wall insulation and solar panels – with around £720,000 from Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund, delivered by our team at Salix on behalf of the Scottish Government.
South Ayrshire Council says use of the gym was up by 61 per cent in its first month, compared to the same period in 2023, whilst also seeing a 60 percent drop in electricity use.
“To see strong membership growth, high satisfaction levels and sustainability savings so soon after reopening is incredibly rewarding for everyone involved in the refurbishment project and our customers," said South Ayrshire Council’s policy lead for leisure and community services, Councillor Chris Cullen.
Prestwick Leisure Club has seen its changing rooms and gym refurbished with further work in its plant room. Picture credit: Salix Finance
‘Truly transformed’
Upgrades to Prestwick Leisure Club, completed by contractor Robertson Construction Central West, are to reduce the heat load and heat loss associated with heating the building itself and the water in the pool. The works included roof insulation, wall cladding, new ultrasonic humidifiers, a remote building management system and solar panels.
South Ayrshire Council said it’s seen the building’s electricity use drop by 60 per cent this year when compared to 2023, while gas consumption is down by 38 per cent. Those improvements have contributed to projections that the building’s annual energy costs will come down by about £45,000.
Andy McLinden, regional managing director at Robertson Construction Central West, said: “We have transformed the centre to enhance both visitor experience and sustainability. From running the site on 100 per cent renewable energy and using low-emission Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil fuel to reusing materials and diverting all waste from landfill, our construction practices mirrored the green upgrades delivered.”
South Ayrshire Council’s policy lead for housing and property services, Councillor Martin Kilbride, said: “Prestwick Leisure Centre is looking fantastic following the programme of upgrade works. We're extremely proud of the positive environmental impact the refurbishment is already having. We've managed to cut energy use significantly, meaning that we are saving on energy costs and reducing our carbon footprint at the same time.
“It’s important that the upgrades to Prestwick Leisure Club not only meet the needs of our community, but that we are also taking a step in the right direction in terms of our decarbonisation targets. Improving the energy efficiency of this building has been a key goal throughout the works – one that’s been made possible with the help of a grant from Salix and our fantastic team who helped secure this funding.”
South Ayrshire Council will now carry out a similar project in a neighbouring coastal town at Troon Swimming Pool – with around £1.72 million from Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund Phase 2, again funded by the Scottish Government and administered by our team at Salix.
Picture credie: South Ayrshire Council
As well as being good news for the environment, the council has also reported that use of the club, memberships and class attendance are all up compared to the same period a year ago.
South Ayrshire Council’s director of communities and transformation, Jane Bradley, said: "The needs of the local community are at the heart of our decision making and the upgrades carried out will benefit everyone using the facility. Not only will the improvements help to support customers to maximise their health and wellbeing, they will also help us to take another step towards our targets to reduce our carbon footprint."
The local authority also said it’s had “overwhelmingly positive feedback” from members and users since re-opening, in particular for the “welcoming reception layout, the new Changing Village’s spacious, modern design and the bright and accessible poolside area. Staff at the club say it’s “a pleasure to work in, with clean, modern facilities and improved office space that creates a lovely working environment.”
South Ayrshire Council's Policy Lead for Leisure and Community Services, Councillor Chris Cullen, said: "We're thrilled with the response from our members and the wider community. The refurbishment has truly transformed Prestwick Leisure Centre, not only in terms of facilities but also in the overall experience we're able to offer.”
