Description

Maurice Hickey, 1961-3. Near rectangular-plan Brutalist spectator stand with deep cantilevered roof. Brick and concrete construction.

SW (SEATING) ELEVATION: central steps to ground floor section; 2-leaf glazed timber door; clerestory sidelights; clerestory lighting strips; plain buttresses divide bays. Pair of railed stairs on reverse U-plan supports concrete flank entrance leading to upper seating area; plastic seating; plain railed sides; central upper glazed timber enclosed viewing room; deep cantilever cover over.

NW (SIDE) ELEVATION: single timber doors to outer right and left of ground floor section; 2 square single windows to inner bays to left; near-central glazed timber door with 2 single windows to right.

NE (REAR) ELEVATION: central flat-roofed entrance; glazed timber door; letterbox fanlight; sidelights; advanced single storey brick sections to left and right; strip lighting above divided by plain buttresses rising up to advanced cantilever.

Variety of glazing patterns.

INTERIOR: (seen, 2012). Original room layout largely extant. Changing rooms with timber benches.

Statement of Interest

This is a distinctive early 1960s stadium with a deep cantilevered cover and concrete buttresses, overlooking the River Ayr. Few Brutalist stands were constructed, and this one is a rare example. Exploiting modern materials, the sculptural form of the building is visually eye-catching and adds significantly to the interest of the stadium. The cantilever design ensures there is no obstruction to the view of the playing field. The seating was originally timber, but this has been changed to plastic. The side elevation is similar to Peter Womersley's (with Ove Arup) Gala Fairydean Stadium in Galashiels, 1963-5 (see separate listing).

Maurice Hickey (1931-2007) was the Burgh Architect for Kilmarnock from 1964 and worked for the Strathclyde University's Estates Department from 1971 until 1997.

Scotland's place in the history of sport is exceptional. With the early origins of the games of curling and golf attributed to Scotland it is no surprise that our sporting-related architectural heritage is so rich and fascinating. Sport is an immensely significant part of our shared social and cultural history and one which continues to influence and shape our lives today. The architectural legacy of our sporting buildings tells us much about who we are as a nation.

List description updated as part of the sporting buildings thematic study (2012-13).

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17839108

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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