A £16m leisure centre is to be developed in Irvine under wider plans for the transformation of the town laid out by the local authority and the Irvine Bay Regeneration Company.

North Ayrshire Council (NAC) said that the new complex will be built as part of the £25m Irvine Town Centre Regeneration initiative and could open as early as summer 2014. Located at Irvine Town House, it is expected that facilities will include a six-lane, 25m pool; a teaching pool; a six-court multi-use sports hall; and a 100-station fitness suite.

Associated changing facilities; two exercise studios; four consultation rooms; and an activity area for children are also proposed as part of the new leisure centre. A NAC spokesperson said the project was currently at the 'preferred site' stage and that the leisure centre was one of four major projects earmarked for the centre of Irvine.