It was the best place in the world to me, a 12 year old when it opened. Out of all the comments made by people in the video one stands out, 'it kept the children off the streets'. It certainly did, during the summer holidays I'd go to all 3 skating sessions at the ice rink and take a packed lunch! The place was buzzing from morning until it shut at night. The story going round at the time, the queen WAS waving to Eddy.
Good doc Eddy, enjoyed seeing the old haunts. We went to Magnum 5 nights days a week to ice rink, my teen years spent there with lots of great memories, sad loss to Irvine.
Loved The Magnum. So many happy times swimming , playing volleyball , karate and my favourite The Cinema . I always thought the council should have leased the cinema to a chain such as Odeon and their cafe to a franchise such as Greggs , thus lightening the financial burden
Amazing video. Fond memories of the magnum. Quite funny how we have the same second name and you have the same first name as my uncle, Small world and smaller ayrshire
Loved the magnum when I was younger. Used to go down from Paisley every other weekend for skating and swimming. Was devastated when I heard it was closing. Always wanted to take my own kids. Same with the Big Idea over the bridge.
Good doc. Interesting and totally agree. My papa opened the Magnum. Jack Carson. His name was on a plaque in the foyer. I asked to get this when it ess being demolished and was ultimately ignored. Really really sad.
thanks for using my comment (1,40) the magnum sadly was doomed the minute the council had control lack of funding and terrible management a sad loss to many peoples memories the portal is a sad badly thought out replacement
Nice vid, the magnum was a huge part of many peoples lives. The portal as mentioned, has terrible parking issues and a lot of wasted space and the swimming pool is always closed with problems and its limited to when there are no classes. A bit of a shambles really
Yes I know the last month there’s been a lot of problems with the portal but hopefully now it’s all fixed for a good while at least 👍 thanks for watching
Loved the place the hours I spent in the skating and swimming, so sad to see it gone every time I drive past I give the empty space a look a must say the same thing the Magnum was there not so long ago, so sad 👏👏
I think that when the Magnum was built, there was a cut-back of funding (or something like that) that stopped them from building the top floor of the Theatre, the Fly Tower. I worked with Borderline Theatre when we put on the first show in the Magnum Theatre. The scene-cloths could only be lifted half way because the building was too short, and we had to figure out a method of lifting the bottom of the cloths up as well, to get them out the way. The winding handle for the curtains (the Tabs) had been made so that you couldn't turn the handle without taking the skin off your knuckles. - I discovered that! A bit of work with a hacksaw and spanners fixed it. 🤩
Amazing video well done everyone… my whole being is because of the magnum . My biological father was a lifeguard and steward… I didn’t know him growning up ,strange thinking I used the magnum 3x a week for 20 odd years . My first partner was a lifeguard also . So if the magnum didn’t exist then neither would I have .
The Portal is much more accessible to people with varying degrees of mobility. The Magnum was difficult to access and navigate in wheelchairs, or with limited mobility. Having the Portal beside the main bus routes is a definite advantage, making it more accessible for more people.
Yeah that’s a great point, the Portal does seem better placed! In an ideal world the portal could have all of the facilities the magnum had but we can dream 😃
In the (very) late days around 2014 the former ice rink space was home to Ayrshire roller derby (playing on the bare concrete!). I refereed a game there.
Suggestion:- Howie of Dunlop was one of the biggest business' in Ayrshire it had a animal feeds mill in Dunlop and a massive yard in dunlop too they had their own concrete department , fencing and joinery they also had a hand Wilson dog foods and they had a wood place down in Dalbeattie and lianshaw eggs in Stewarton a family run business that saw it demise in 2014 after the 2 brothers decided to sell everything. Just a suggestion
I’ve never heard of them but after looking into it seems like a great suggestion 👍 we’ll definitely add it to the idea list for the next run of episodes. Thanks for watching
I lived in Kilwinning and a trip to the Magnum was a treat. I've been swimming and played badminton there. It was a fantastic place. It was really sad to learn about its demise, I was 5 when it opened. Great video Eddie! Was wondering if you are related to a Shona Gemmell from Kilwinning?
I worked at the Magnum for a couple of years. It's annoying to hear people in Irvine say how great it was. No one went in the last decade or so. Some days the ice rink would go all day without a single customer, the bar was deserted, the pool had almost no one in it. If they'd kept using it (if they loved it so much), it would never have closed. You can't run a leisure centre with no income.
Yeah that’s really true, there’s definitely a lot of nostalgia but you’re right! It closed because it wasn’t being used enough. I think people felt it could have been upgraded or renovated but who knows if that was viable
We’re hoping to do another very short follow up to this with someone involved at the time, but here is a link to one old document Ayrshire Film Company sportsleisurelegacy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Magnum-LC.pdf
Why spend millions on another leasure center when that money could have been spent refurbishing the magnum I had a lot of memories there I met my wife there learned to swim I was there 3-4 times a week sad to see it go 😢
Yeah the timing of the decision seemed strange, I think the magnum did have several issues with accessibility but the portal hasn’t necessarily solved them all.
The investment and progress stopped when the plug was pulled on oil extraction off the west coast, remember there was a Stakis hotel which had a short golf course attached !!…and Irvine has massive road infrastructure around it, the carriageway between Kilwinning and Ayr. Faslane etc required access for submarines and there, the development went 🤷♂️ as for no one using the magnum in the run up to closing?, competition from elsewhere and a massive decline is sports participation with games consoles letting the ‘enjoyment’ be had indoors would all have been contributing factors. Nobody remember all the fights and trouble that went on….regularly ???? Nostalgia, wits it like eh. 😳🙄😂😂😂
I feel the portal is a disapointing downgrade to the town. People say the sitecat volvo could have stied another venue like the magnum. Irvine is no longer spoken about due to closure of the magnum. The portal is poorly maintained. The pool is not fit for purpose. Showers are poor maintenance is poor and parking is shocking.
Yeah obviously the council have a tough job managing budgets and there’s no easy solutions. Think it’s fair to say the portal is not a direct replacement for the magnum as a whole, thanks for watching & commenting 👍
It was the best place in the world to me, a 12 year old when it opened. Out of all the comments made by people in the video one stands out, 'it kept the children off the streets'. It certainly did, during the summer holidays I'd go to all 3 skating sessions at the ice rink and take a packed lunch! The place was buzzing from morning until it shut at night.
The story going round at the time, the queen WAS waving to Eddy.
😂 legend has it she thought she was waving to Shirley Temple! It certainly was quite the place, thanks for watching 👍
Good doc Eddy, enjoyed seeing the old haunts. We went to Magnum 5 nights days a week to ice rink, my teen years spent there with lots of great memories, sad loss to Irvine.
Thanks so much, I’ll pass that onto Eddy 👍 Magnum was a place where people grew up!
Loved The Magnum. So many happy times swimming , playing volleyball , karate and my favourite The Cinema .
I always thought the council should have leased the cinema to a chain such as Odeon and their cafe to a franchise such as Greggs , thus lightening the financial burden
Good point Dannyboy, I could see that happening nowadays but in a lot of ways the Magnum was ahead of its time!
Amazing video. Fond memories of the magnum. Quite funny how we have the same second name and you have the same first name as my uncle, Small world and smaller ayrshire
Thanks Jade 👍 Ayrshire is a wee big place
I remember when it was in its heyday, I used to go swimming and to the theatre. It’s missed!
Definitely, the swimming was always a great day out!
Loved the magnum when I was younger. Used to go down from Paisley every other weekend for skating and swimming. Was devastated when I heard it was closing. Always wanted to take my own kids.
Same with the Big Idea over the bridge.
It was a great place for the weekend, shame it’s gone especially as the harbour side is being redeveloped and is busy
Good doc. Interesting and totally agree. My papa opened the Magnum. Jack Carson. His name was on a plaque in the foyer. I asked to get this when it ess being demolished and was ultimately ignored. Really really sad.
Oh wow, that’s such a shame they never gave you the plaque! Hopefully it’s been kept somewhere.
thanks for using my comment (1,40) the magnum sadly was doomed the minute the council had control lack of funding and terrible management a sad loss to many peoples memories the portal is a sad badly thought out replacement
No problem, thanks for contributing 👍
Excellent video
Thanks Peter 😀
Nice vid, the magnum was a huge part of many peoples lives. The portal as mentioned, has terrible parking issues and a lot of wasted space and the swimming pool is always closed with problems and its limited to when there are no classes. A bit of a shambles really
Yes I know the last month there’s been a lot of problems with the portal but hopefully now it’s all fixed for a good while at least 👍 thanks for watching
I used to go to the Magnum centre when I was a kid. I went swimming & ice skating. I used to go with my family when I was a kid it was amazing. 😊
I always remember the swimming was a great day out!
Loved the place the hours I spent in the skating and swimming, so sad to see it gone every time I drive past I give the empty space a look a must say the same thing the Magnum was there not so long ago, so sad 👏👏
Yes it’s strange to see an empty space where such a large building once stood! Thanks for watching 👍
I think that when the Magnum was built, there was a cut-back of funding (or something like that) that stopped them from building the top floor of the Theatre, the Fly Tower.
I worked with Borderline Theatre when we put on the first show in the Magnum Theatre.
The scene-cloths could only be lifted half way because the building was too short, and we had to figure out a method of lifting the bottom of the cloths up as well, to get them out the way.
The winding handle for the curtains (the Tabs) had been made so that you couldn't turn the handle without taking the skin off your knuckles. - I discovered that!
A bit of work with a hacksaw and spanners fixed it. 🤩
😂 talk about cutbacks! Thanks for sharing, great to hear memories like these 👍
Amazing video well done everyone… my whole being is because of the magnum . My biological father was a lifeguard and steward… I didn’t know him growning up ,strange thinking I used the magnum 3x a week for 20 odd years . My first partner was a lifeguard also . So if the magnum didn’t exist then neither would I have .
Wow, it really was such a big part of so many people’s lives! Thanks for sharing 👍
The Portal is much more accessible to people with varying degrees of mobility.
The Magnum was difficult to access and navigate in wheelchairs, or with limited mobility.
Having the Portal beside the main bus routes is a definite advantage, making it more accessible for more people.
Yeah that’s a great point, the Portal does seem better placed! In an ideal world the portal could have all of the facilities the magnum had but we can dream 😃
Oh i remember going as a wain and loved it and last time i went i was about 17 with my now husband. So sad it closed
Great memories, amazing that you got to go with your now husband 👍 thanks for watching
In the (very) late days around 2014 the former ice rink space was home to Ayrshire roller derby (playing on the bare concrete!). I refereed a game there.
Not for the faint hearted I imagine! Does roller derby continue anywhere in Ayrshire?
Sadly not, the team briefly carried on training in a school gym hall but folded a good few years ago now
Don’t use the portal due to zero parking
Suggestion:- Howie of Dunlop was one of the biggest business' in Ayrshire it had a animal feeds mill in Dunlop and a massive yard in dunlop too they had their own concrete department , fencing and joinery they also had a hand Wilson dog foods and they had a wood place down in Dalbeattie and lianshaw eggs in Stewarton a family run business that saw it demise in 2014 after the 2 brothers decided to sell everything. Just a suggestion
I remember being at the auction on the feedmill
I’ve never heard of them but after looking into it seems like a great suggestion 👍 we’ll definitely add it to the idea list for the next run of episodes. Thanks for watching
@@TVAyrshire not everybody has but a huge company back in the day at one time employing 300 folk through Ayrshire if you need help get in touch.
@@allykerr3714 Thank you, we've added it to our list and will drop you a message if we need help 👍
I lived in Kilwinning and a trip to the Magnum was a treat. I've been swimming and played badminton there. It was a fantastic place. It was really sad to learn about its demise, I was 5 when it opened.
Great video Eddie! Was wondering if you are related to a Shona Gemmell from Kilwinning?
Thanks for watching, I’ll ask if that’s a relation and get back to you!
I went to the magnum centre hunners a times as a wain but loundon castle ,naaa shite
Haha yeah I think the magnum would come out on top in that matchup.
I worked at the Magnum for a couple of years. It's annoying to hear people in Irvine say how great it was. No one went in the last decade or so. Some days the ice rink would go all day without a single customer, the bar was deserted, the pool had almost no one in it. If they'd kept using it (if they loved it so much), it would never have closed. You can't run a leisure centre with no income.
Yeah that’s really true, there’s definitely a lot of nostalgia but you’re right! It closed because it wasn’t being used enough.
I think people felt it could have been upgraded or renovated but who knows if that was viable
Hi where can you find the photos of the old concepts that never came to be of the harbour?
We’re hoping to do another very short follow up to this with someone involved at the time, but here is a link to one old document Ayrshire Film Company sportsleisurelegacy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Magnum-LC.pdf
Why spend millions on another leasure center when that money could have been spent refurbishing the magnum I had a lot of memories there I met my wife there learned to swim I was there 3-4 times a week sad to see it go 😢
Yeah the timing of the decision seemed strange, I think the magnum did have several issues with accessibility but the portal hasn’t necessarily solved them all.
The investment and progress stopped when the plug was pulled on oil extraction off the west coast, remember there was a Stakis hotel which had a short golf course attached !!…and Irvine has massive road infrastructure around it, the carriageway between Kilwinning and Ayr. Faslane etc required access for submarines and there, the development went 🤷♂️ as for no one using the magnum in the run up to closing?, competition from elsewhere and a massive decline is sports participation with games consoles letting the ‘enjoyment’ be had indoors would all have been contributing factors. Nobody remember all the fights and trouble that went on….regularly ???? Nostalgia, wits it like eh. 😳🙄😂😂😂
Magnum skating with my daughter to Walk like an Egyptian what a laugh !
Brilliant memory 😊
The Portal is just a downgrade.
The Portal cafe is crap had only pre packed sandwiches when i gone there yet woman talks about menu.
I feel the portal is a disapointing downgrade to the town. People say the sitecat volvo could have stied another venue like the magnum. Irvine is no longer spoken about due to closure of the magnum. The portal is poorly maintained. The pool is not fit for purpose. Showers are poor maintenance is poor and parking is shocking.
Yeah obviously the council have a tough job managing budgets and there’s no easy solutions. Think it’s fair to say the portal is not a direct replacement for the magnum as a whole, thanks for watching & commenting 👍