A Christmas message from Councillor Brian Connolly Leader of South Ayrshire Council

Issued 12 December 2025

2025 has been a year of change, but as a Council, we are delivering on our key priorities and looking to build on what we have achieved so far.

One of our biggest areas of investment is education. Over the next 12 years, our investment in the school estate will exceed sixty-one million pounds.

During the next two years we'll be constructing the new Girvan Primary School. Work has also started to extend both Struthers Primary School and Dalmilling Primary School.

Although completed in the 2023/24 session, our Maybole Community Campus was shortlisted for the 'Architectural Excellence' award at the 2025 Scottish Property Awards. This was an important accolade and highlights our commitment to deliver innovative learning spaces and community facilities.

One of our highest priorities is the continued investment in the Health and Wellbeing of residents.

With the generous support of the Cruyff Foundation, and Ayr United Football Academy, we opened the "Ally MacLeod Cruyff Court" at Heathfield Primary School in Ayr. This is the first Cruyff Court in Scotland. It's fully accessible, features an all-weather pitch and is a strong example of partnership working.

We continue to invest heavily in our sport and leisure facilities. We've received great feedback on Prestwick Leisure Club since it reopened following an extensive upgrade. The modern eye-catching design is turning heads and active fitness memberships at the facility have increased by a fantastic 18%.

It's the turn of Troon Leisure Club next as we look to install a new fitness gym; multi-functional studio; and refurbish the changing areas. Works will be taking place over the next 12 months, so we've set up a temporary Community Fitness Hub at Muirhead Activity Centre.

The new entrance at the Citadel Leisure Centre is resplendent in its new cladding. Other works are set to take place such as roofing repairs; essential pool plantroom works; and a major electrical upgrade.

The restoration and enhancement of the Quay Zone in Girvan continues. The swimming pool; gym; and fitness studio are scheduled to reopen from January 2026. The extended café; larger kitchen; and new softplay area should also be completed next year. Nobody enjoys disruption but we are confident that the results will be worthwhile.

Staying in Girvan, the McKechnie Institute reopened earlier in the year and now features a brand-new lift; gallery; and activities room. We also received the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) Award for Project Excellence for our Lend + Mend Hub at Girvan Library.

There are plans to make Ayr more accessible and encourage walking; cycling; and wheeling in and around the town. Part of this ambition will see Burns Statue Square completely transformed. We'll continue to engage with residents and local businesses as plans come together.

We're also making progress with the Arran Mall and former Hourstons building in Ayr. We are exploring residential options for the site, and I am hoping for more detail in the new year. A shopfront improvement grant programme is also underway in Ayr.

Our 'Ward Capital Projects' programme is progressing. Some of the projects include the resurfacing of Troon Esplanade; a new multi-use games area in Newton; new roof at Kincaidston Community Centre; upgrades to the playground at Coylton Primary School; and the reopening of Ballantrae's Ardstinchar Bridge. Our Grounds Maintenance team has also started work to upgrade the path network at Cambusdoon in Ayr.

Ayrshire is a great place to live and during 2024/25, we worked with our partners to deliver 258 new affordable homes, which is nearly double the annual target. Our latest project will see 75 new affordable homes at Riverside Place in Ayr.

We are also helping tenants and private homeowners save an estimated £2.4 million in fuel costs thanks to energy efficient housing.

Helping tackle fuel poverty as well as child poverty is a key ambition. In April 2024, our Child Poverty Strategy for the period 2024-2029 was approved. We're helping local people to maximise their income and financial wellbeing by taking a holistic, community-based approach.

Attracting visitors to South Ayrshire has so many advantages, not least it helps to boost the local economy. A massive 260,000 people attended this year's International Ayr Show - Festival of Flight over the two days. Work has already started on the next event. The festival will return to Ayr shorefront on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September 2026.

I hope you are all looking forward to the festive season.

Christmas is almost upon us - it seems to come around so quickly every year and despite my best efforts, I still need to find time to do some last-minute shopping. Remember to use your Scotland Loves Local Gift Card if you're shopping locally; the digital e-card makes supporting local shops that much easier.

If you are one of the many people that continue to work throughout the holidays, I hope you can still find some time to relax.  I would also like to thank staff at the Council for their continued efforts and all their hard work.

Finally, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!