Inverclyde Sports centre is set to demolish its squash courts at the end of this year, sportscotland have confirmed.

Members of Largs Squash Club have voiced their disappointment, and now face longer distances to play the sport, as far as the Magnum in Irvine, and Dreghorn. The facility, which is believed to have been built when the sports centre was created in 1958. will make way for a new £9m parasports development which is set to open in November 2016.

Allan Murray of Largs Squash Club, said: “I and several other Largs residents play in the west of Scotland squash leagues. I have done so for the last 35 years. We were informed by lead manager Graeme Randall, and principal John Kent, that the new para development at Inverclyde will have no provision for squash, and that the courts will be demolished around December.

“These are the last public squash courts in North Ayrshire and a great loss for sporting diversity in North Ayrshire.

"I know that the courts are only 20 percent utilised but it is a great pity that yet another sport will be annexed from our choice.

“The thing that really sticks in my throat is that I see this as positive discrimination against able-bodied people.

“I can’t defend keeping the sports courts open as it is not an expensive sport for a centre to keep going, but it is the last couple of squash courts in North Ayrshire that are open to the public - and it is a bit sad that a sport is not going to be played in North Ayrshire on that basis.

“Options for playing squash are now extremely limited. North Ayrshire Council are building a new super school with over 1000 children next to Inverclyde Sports Centre, and they won’t have the opportunity to pick up a racquet and play squash anymore - it is dead.” A spokesman for Sportscotland said: “Largs Squash Club will have full use of the facilities until the end of 2015, and 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.” A ‘Save Largs Squash Courts’ facebook group has also been set up by users of the facility.