Tom Daley backs campaign to save one of Scotland's last diving pools

Olympic diver Tom Daley has backed a campaign to save one of Scotland's last diving pools, describing a decision to close it as "heartbreaking".

Ayr Diving Club is fighting to save its local diving facilities after South Ayrshire Council announced plans to close them at the end of April due to budget cuts.

It means club members face a round trip of 180 miles to the next nearest diving pool, in Edinburgh.

Daley told BBC News that the closure of the pool at the Citadel leisure centre could hamper any growth of the sport in Scotland.

"Any diving pool, in any country, anywhere is an absolute treasure, because our sport is so small," the 31-year-old said.

"There is a rise of people showing an interest in the sport who want to get involved.

"The fact that instead of more facilities being created, they are being taken away is heartbreaking."

South Ayrshire Council said the decision had not been taken lightly and reflected "significant operational, environmental and financial pressures affecting the long term sustainability of the diving pool".

When Daley won his third Commonwealth gold medal at Glasgow 2014, his success sparked a rise in members at Ayr Diving Club.

Now retired, he is Britain's most decorated diver having competed in five Olympic Games and collected three bronze, one silver and one gold medal.

But he said that without his local diving pool in Plymouth, he would never have been able to fulfill his dream of becoming an Olympic champion.

He told BBC Scotland News it particularly sad to see diving pools close when there are not similar facilities close by.

"These small facilities are feeder pools to go into the bigger facilities like the pools in Edinburgh and Aberdeen," he said.

"I was just really lucky to live near a diving pool in Plymouth, otherwise I never would have known I could be an Olympic champion in diving.

"I would have completely slipped through the net - sometimes these smaller pools are where the talent is found that could be the next Olympic champion."

He said that participation in a diving club also helped develop other vital life skills.

"It is not just about finding the next Olympic champion either, it is about community," the diving champion added.

"It's about finding confidence, about learning new skills, about teamwork, it's about being able to be fit and healthy and finding a sport that you love.

"It's about all of the skills that come with learning through sport. It's always heartbreaking to hear of any closures of diving pools. So many young people rely on these facilities as a place of joy and hope."

After retiring in 2024, Daley became a regular face across British television with appearances on Celebrity Bake Off, Celebrity Traitors and Celebrity Gogglebox.

Now he presents Game of Wool: Britain's Best Knitter, Channel 4's competitive knitting show which is filmed in Ayrshire.

Daley said he had wanted to have a couple of training sessions at the Citadel while filming season two but now that will not be possible.

"I would have loved to pop in and do a couple of training sessions there, but that option is being taken off the table," he said.

"I really hope that the decision to close the facility is reconsidered.

"There is so much up and coming talent in Scotland and it will be such a shame to lose another diving facility. It will be a very sad day."

A spokesperson for South Ayshire Council confirmed that a phased closure of the diving facilities at the Citadel would begin on Monday 20 April.

They added: "The council remains committed to supporting aquatic sport across South Ayrshire.

"We fully recognise the decision directly affects 59 current users, including members of Ayr Diving Club.

"However, by reallocating access from diving activity, we will be able to create 700 additional Learn 2 Swim places, significantly reducing waiting lists and ensuring that more children and young people can access essential water safety skills earlier in life.

"This represents a substantial and much-needed community benefit."