Prestwick's Centrum Arena is dismantled

Feb 20 2009

Centrum Demolition

THE CENTRUM arena has attracted controversy since Glen Henderson laid its foundations almost a quarter of a century ago.

So it seems only fitting that its demise has been every bit as contentious.

While supporters continue to insist that there could still be a future for the Centrum, the bulldozers moved in to begin demolishing it.

And community councillors from Prestwick were there to witness the beginning of the end for the arena.

Archie Monkhouse from Prestwick South Community Council insists that it’s a step in the right direction.

He said: “The dismantling of this arena is a vital step forward in the regeneration of Prestwick Toll.

“For eight years this edifice has been an eyesore to the travellers and commuters passing through this area and an embarrassment to the residents.”

The Centrum was the brainchild of businessman Glen Henderson.

However, midway through construction in the mid 1980s the project was abandoned and it lay unfinished for some time.

Barr Ltd later stepped in to complete the project and it became the home of the Grand Slam winning Scottish Eagles Ice Hockey team between 1996 and 2002.

But the Eagles’ move to Braehead Arena sounded the death knell for the Centrum.

Barr tried to find a new use for the arena.

Aurigin gym and Tholos bar continued to trade and it was used as a concert and exhibition venue on occasion, but they were not enough to make the business pay. The building was later sold the Dawn Developments.

And according to Mr Monkhouse, the time is right to move on.

He added: “In its day the Centrum was a haven for ice hockey.

“But as no other sporting organisation is interested in attempting to revive this facility, dismantling and removal of this building is the best solution to a situation.

“If it is left any longer it will become a bigger target for vandals than it already is.”

A planning application has been submitted by Sainsbury to build a supermarket on the site.