In June 2024, East Ayrshire Council and the Boards of Trustees of East Ayrshire Leisure and Kilmarnock Leisure Centre Trust endorsed a proposal to transfer East Ayrshire Council’s Vibrant Communities, Corporate and Community Catering, Instrumental Music Service and Creative Minds, along with The Galleon Leisure Centre to East Ayrshire Leisure Trust.
In 2013 East Ayrshire Leisure Trust, registered charity (No SC043987), came into existence, and the management of a wide range of venues, facilities and staff transferred over from East Ayrshire Council. Amongst other benefits, the formation of the Trust allowed us to maximise financial opportunities including access to funding not available to local authorities, and to date we have secured over £59 million, which has directly supported leisure, community, cultural and wellbeing provision and services in East Ayrshire.
Through an innovative, welcoming and ambitious programme of cultural, sport, community, wellbeing and outdoor activities the Trust currently operates a huge portfolio of libraries, galleries, museums, community venues, sport/fitness facilities, performing arts spaces, a theatre and concert hall, country park with medieval castle, golf course and a vast network of paths and outdoor spaces across the authority.
Focusing on our continual development and growth and by challenging existing and new business opportunities, we have received unqualified external audits throughout the past ten years and have become one of the most successful and diverse, forward-thinking Trusts in the country.
The Trust has been collaborating with East Ayrshire Council and Kilmarnock Leisure Centre Trust to look at proposals for the future direction of these valued services and how they are sustained, developed and enhanced.
Representatives from each organisation are currently working in partnership to determine which services and personnel would better serve our customers and communities sitting under the management of the Trust.
As part of our continuing commitment to be recognised as a provider that listens to our customers, local residents, visitors and partners and develops facilities and services that meet their needs, we would like to hear your views on the proposals.