TODAY, we look at the sad demise of the much-loved Magnum Leisure Centre in Irvine.
It's now the 10th anniversary of the centre's closure. And following yesterday's look back at the bands, sports stars and legends who graced its stage, today we take a look at how - and why - it all came to an end.
The decision to close the Magnum in September 2016 was one of the most controversial in the history of North Ayrshire Council.
As it celebrated its 40th year, the facility had been starved of cash. Running costs were high and funding for the leisure centre had been slashed since the early 2000s.
Big names still performed there on occasion, but the days of bringing bands like The Waterboys, The Smiths and Runrig had gone.
It was now the ice rink, the swimming pool, bowling and the Mighty/Mini Monsters which kept the centre alive.
As far back as 2008, the council considered moving it to the site of the current Woodland View facility - far from the beach. Quarry Road was suggested as an alternative spot.
But in 2011, it was decided that the Labour-led council, alongside Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, would close the Magnum - and replace it with a new leisure centre right next to Irvine's Townhouse.
The new SNP administration decided to continue with that plan, despite a Save The Magnum campaign officially being launched in 2012.
The original proposal would see the demolition of the old Annick Centre and the historic Jail Close. And in 2013, Councillor Matthew Brown was given the casting vote to approve the new leisure centre - soon to be known as The Portal - and close the Magnum for good.
A furious backlash followed, as did allegations of corruption, which annoyed local politicians on all sides.
In 2016, Ian Wallace, a key member of the campaign, said: "We just thought the money they were spending could have been used to revamp the Magnum.
"Okay, it's an old building, but so's the Townhouse. There was a centre in England like the Magnum that people fought to have done up and now it is booming."
A complaint was lodged in 2013 in respect of Jail Close, an ancient thoroughfare next to the Townhouse, on the grounds that it was a right of way.
A public inquiry in June 2014 went in their favour, causing a redesign of the plans. But that would prove the campaign group's only big victory.
Appropriately, it was an Irvine man who performed the final show at the Magnum in September 2016 - comedian Billy Kirkwood.
He said it was sad to see the place not being the powerhouse it once was.
Billy added: "This used to be one of the stops on the tour for big name comedians. And then it just stopped happening. And I don't understand why."
SNP councillor Marie Burns - later to become council leader - said at the time of the Magnum's closure: "I wasn't a councillor when the decision was taken, but we realised something needed to be done because there were health and safety issues with the Magnum.
"It would have taken such an extensive refurbishment; the advice we were getting at the time was that town centres were where main leisure was going to be.
"We did have a look at it again, but there was a vocal minority who weren't happy with it.
"It would have been easy just to blame Labour, but it wouldn't have been right. We agreed the best thing was to continue but we got a lot of flak for it.
"The criticism was very difficult to deal with. I was upset at some of the things being said, like councillors receiving brown envelopes from developers, which was just a lot of nonsense."
She added: "There's a sadness about it. I can understand people felt a lot of emotion and it's hard putting it behind you. I think people have moved on and are looking forward to the Portal opening.
"The issue has been put to bed and soon people will start to take their kids there and feel affection for it.
"It's never going to be the Magnum. It was never designed to be. But it will be a great facility in the town centre and people will soon realise that."
Press releases from the council and Irvine Bay promised the Portal would have a 25m six-lane pool, fitness suites, indoor sports halls and a venue capable of hosting weddings.
The public responded by maintaining it wouldn't be a patch on the Magnum. Many still agree...
Do you still miss the Magnum? Let us know in the comments.
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