Ayr Diving Club

03/06/2026

19/05/2026

🗣️ "We almost gave up right there and then. We couldn't believe the councillors didn't even want to hear it."

19/05/2026

The front page of this week's Ayr Advertiser! 👇

Available in shops today!📰

18/05/2026

A huge thank you to every councillor who voted in favour of hearing the motion on Thursday. The final vote was split 13 FOR and 13 AGAINST, with a two thirds majority required for the motion to proceed.

While we are deeply disappointed that the motion was not heard, we are incredibly grateful to the councillors who supported transparency and for the opportunity for the community to be listened to. Your support showed that there are elected members willing to stand up for sport, young people and the future of diving in the west of Scotland.
Thank you to the following:
Duncan Townson
Cameron Ramsay
Julie Dettbarn
Wullie Hogg
Ian Cavana
Laura Brennan-Whitefield
Bob Shields
Philip Saxton
Brian McGinley
Craig Mackay
George Weir
Stephen Ferry
Ian Cochrane

To everyone who signed petitions, shared posts, attended meetings, contacted councillors and supported the club throughout this campaign, thank you. This is not the end of the fight for diving in Ayrshire.

15/05/2026

“The reality facing the council is that the Citadel is an ageing 60-70 year old tank-style pool which was never designed as a modern permanent diving facility."

15/05/2026

14/05/2026

Commenting on the closing down of a Council debate on diving provision at the Citadel before even a single speech had been made, SNP South Ayrshire Council Group Leader Cllr Julie Dettbarn said:
“It’s a bad look for the Administration to have shied away from debating such an important matter for those who use the diving pool at the Citadel. It should not have been beyond them to let the debate proceed, hear arguments from both sides, and allow elected councillors to do our job of determining policy.
“We are under no illusions about the challenges of retaining diving in a pool that can’t meet modern safety standards - and in a building we were advised in 2017 was structurally nearing the end of its lifespan.
“However the lack of proper engagement with the diving community means that the opportunity to find more creative solutions or funding has been missed.
“Significant numbers of diving club members and supporters made the effort to attend this morning’s Council meeting in good faith, expecting to hear a proper debate on the future of this facility, but were turned away after an unceremonious vote to prevent the motion even being tabled.
“The people in the public gallery this morning deserved better from their elected members. This
came across as a cowardly move from a weak administration who are now counting the months they have left in office.”

14/05/2026

Councillors reject motion to reinstate diving at Ayr’s Citadel, leaving athletes disappointed.

14/05/2026

Ayr Diving Club are devasted with today’s vote, with 13 councillors’ for and 13 against the motion to reverse the decision to phase out diving at the Citadel. This failed to reach the 2/3rd majority to even hear the motion out. This is devastating news for the club, stakeholders and our young athletes.

Ayr Diving Club will continue to operate through this difficult time and hope we can work constructively with South Ayrshire Council to reach a mutual beneficia solution.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support, it means so much to us and our young people within the club! 🧡🖤