Sport and leisure: The Portal

The Magnum Leisure Centre in Irvine was renowned throughout the West of Scotland. When it was opened in 1975 it was the largest leisure centre in Europe, with a million visitors a year coming for skating, boxing, bowls, dog shows and gigs from Chuck Berry to The Clash. Thirty years later, tastes had changed and visitor numbers had dropped hugely.

When North Ayrshire Council took the difficult decision to close the Magnum in 2009, they also decided that its replacement should be in the heart of the town centre: a redevelopment of the historic 1860s Townhouse and surrounding land on the High Street. The replacement £20m leisure centre, breathed new life into the town centre and conserved valuable heritage for the future.

The Portal, was completed in 2017 and continues to play a critical role in the community. New investment in 2026 will see upgrades to equipment, lighting and training space. The complex includes:

• 25m competition pool
• Teaching pool
• Fitness suite
• Studios
• Public café and lounge
• Courtyards and a garden
• A foyer for exhibitions and meetings
• Public realm on the High Street

The facilities not only provide state-of-the-art indoor sports facilities for the town, but also cater for local and family history, art exhibitions, and community and cultural events. All areas are fully accessible for wheelchair users and those with a disability. All this right in the heart of the town centre, with excellent public transport links, accessible to the whole community.