KA Leisure is delighted to announce that, following board approval, more than £1.2 million will be invested in a major capital improvement programme across Auchenharvie Leisure Centre, Garnock Valley facilities, The Portal, and Vikingar!. This significant investment focuses on essential refurbishment, equipment renewal and the enhancement of spaces to ensure modern, accessible and high‑quality fitness facilities throughout North Ayrshire.
Over the last couple of years, we have achieved consistent commercial growth, supported by increasing public use and confidence in our facilities. This success has placed the organisation in a strong financial position, enabling us to lead and deliver this capital programme independently and invest directly back into North Ayrshire’s communities.
This sustained growth has also enabled us to strengthen our workforce, invest in staff development and build a more resilient organisation capable of delivering consistently high quality services across North Ayrshire.
This investment reflects KA Leisure’s ongoing commitment to improving health, wellbeing and physical activity opportunities across North Ayrshire by ensuring communities have access to modern, welcoming and accessible spaces that support active lifestyles.
Cllr John Sweeney, Chair of the Board, said:
“Investing in enhanced facilities is about more than upgrading buildings, it’s about strengthening the health, wellbeing and opportunities available to our communities. KA Leisure must always be about our communities ensuring that our venues are welcoming, modern spaces where people of all ages can stay active, connect with others and enjoy the benefits of physical activity.
As part of this investment we are making the most of the resources we already have. Existing gym equipment will be redeployed to enhance facilities across North Ayrshire, allowing us to improve the experience for our communities in multiple locations.”
In addition to the improvements, existing gym equipment removed during refurbishment will be retained and redeployed to upgrade other facilities, support the creation of new satellite gyms or be used to enhance community based health and wellbeing initiatives.
Auchenharvie Leisure Centre – Gym and Studio Upgrades
Auchenharvie will undergo a full refresh of its fitness areas, including:
- Replacement of cardio and resistance equipment
- New flooring, decoration and layout enhancements
- Lighting and minor electrical upgrades
- A comprehensive upgrade to the studio space
Garnock Valley Facilities – Gym Enhancements
The programme includes:
- Replacement of gym equipment
- Flooring, lighting and decorative improvements
- Layout adjustments to improve accessibility and user flow
The Portal – Studio Upgrade and New Sauna Installation
The Portal will benefit from:
- Upgrades to the group exercise studio
- Creation of a brand‑new sauna area
Vikingar! – Gym Improvements plus a Sauna and Steam Room Upgrade
Enhancements planned for Vikingar! include:
- Replacement of gym equipment
- Layout and decorative improvements
- A full upgrade and replacement of the existing sauna
Access to high-quality, welcoming physical activity spaces plays an important role in supporting preventative health and tackling inequalities. By continuing to invest in local facilities, KA Leisure aims to make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to stay active and improve their wellbeing.
Malcolm McPhail, Chief Executive shared his excitement for the forthcoming developments: “This substantial investment highlights our long‑term commitment to providing modern, inspiring and community focused leisure facilities across North Ayrshire. The improvements we are making, from upgraded gyms, enhanced studios at both Auchenharvie and The Portal, plus a brand‑new sauna at The Portal and a fully refurbished sauna at Vikingar!, represent a major step forward in the quality, reliability and experience we offer our members.
Importantly, we are also ensuring that existing gym equipment removed during refurbishment is retained and redeployed to upgrade other facilities, support the creation of new satellite gyms and contribute to community wellbeing initiatives. This approach allows us to maximise value, reduce waste and extend the benefits of this investment across even more of our communities.”
Further details will be shared soon on how community clubs, local organisations and partners can register interest in any additional equipment that is being retained as part of this programme.
Detailed design visuals, project timelines and construction updates will be issued as plans progress. We are incredibly excited to move forward with these improvements, and we want to extend our sincere thanks to our members and communities for their continued support. These improvements form part of KA Leisure’s wider commitment to supporting healthier communities across North Ayrshire, ensuring that high-quality facilities remain accessible and relevant for current and future generations.