It was the end of era as Largs Squash Club members have had to hang up their racquets for the final time at the facility,
The club was forced to disbandon due to the closure of the courts at Inverclyde Sports Centre this month.
Largs Squash Club had been in existence for 35 years, and used two courts, which were also used
by the public for many years.
This was a great source of disappointment to Largs Squash Club when sportscotland announced
that the courts would be closing at the end of this year due to only 20% public usage, but the time of the closure was brought forward to October because of building works.
Allan Murray, spokesman for Largs Squash Club, said: “It is very much the end of an era. I have been playing since 1980, and most of the folk who have been playing at the club have done so for around 30 years.
"There are seven or eight regulars who are going to have no choice but to just give the sport up.”
There is very limited squash court provision in Ayrshire, pointed out Allan, as many will likely give up the sport. he fears.“We used to have four teams who played in the West of Scotland League 15 years ago, and there
were two ladies teams as well,” said Allan, “The team is really unhappy that we have had to disband - but we have been left with no choice.”
Squash is a Commonwealth Games sport, and there is a four court facility at Scotstoun in Glasgow, which was used for the Commonwealth Games.
There is an olive branch, as sportscotland have stated that if they can get funding for a facility, then they would be prepared to offer land at Inverclyde Sports Centre for the facility.
Allan said: “It is very sad that we no longer have a squash facility.
Sportscotland said that if we could find the funding, they would be prepared to offer us some land, so I am going to write some letters and see if we can get any support.”
Allan competes in the 60 and over Scottish Masters squash competition, and is still hoping to continue playing the sport, if he can.
However, he is resigned to the fact that other local players are likely to give up playing.
Allan said: “These are the last public squash courts in our area, and a great loss for sporting
diversity in North Ayrshire.
“I know that the courts are only 20 per cent utilised but it is a great pity that yet another sport
will be annexed from our choice of sports.”
A spokesman for Sportscotland said: “While we understand the club’s disappointment that there
won’t be any new squash facilities, the 20 per cent low usage rate of the courts means they would not be economically viable or an effective use of space in the new facilities to be constructed on the site.
“There are other squash courts in North Ayrshire where the club could play from next year
at Magnum Leisure Centre in Irvine and at Townend Squash Club in Dreghorn.
“This multi-million pound project will significantly enhance the overall service provision at Inverclyde and create the first para-sport hub in Scotland.
“As well as para-athletes and Scotland performance and development teams staying, children, young people, and adults with disabilities in the community will be able to be inspired by taking part in sport at a fully-inclusive residential national sports centre.”