CAMPAIGNERS from the Save The Magnum group made their voices heard at the opening of the new Bridgegate as they continued their fight against Irvine’s controversial new leisure centre.

The group, carrying signs and placards, held a protest during the opening ceremony of the newly redeveloped Bridgegate targeting councillors for what they claim is a “done deal” approach over the closure of the Magnum Leisure Centre and the construction of a new leisure centre next to Irvine’s Townhouse.

One of the signs read “Done deal ur joking MB” in reference to Councillor Matt Brown who cast the deciding vote to approve of the new multi-million pound centre.

The plans for the new centre have been fiercely criticised by many locals and despite it’s ongoing construction, the Save The Magnum campaign are continuing with their fight.

Speaking on behalf of the group, campaigner Ian Wallace said: “The Save the Magnum campaign were at the opening of the revamped Bridgegate to keep the campaign firmly in the public and North Ayrshire Council’s eyes.

“People ask why we are continuing to protest against the new leisure centre because it is a ‘done deal’. We feel that the people of Irvine are being short changed. The new leisure centre will not give us the promised benefits of the Olympics or the Commonwealth Games.

“As a group we have requested documents under the Freedom of Information Act and in our opinion this is not about providing a replacement for the Magnum but an attempt to fill a gap site and use it to revitalise the town centre.

“Our group is not against modernising the town centre but we believe that the Magnum could be refurbished at a lesser cost and with the Beach Park turned back into an attraction that would bring more people to Irvine."