Redeveloping Millbrae for the community

Aim

To redevelop Millbrae into a modern inclusive sporting and community facility for future generations.

Who are we?

Ayr Rugby Football Club was established in 1897. For 65 years the club played home matches at various sporting grounds around the town. In 1962, a small market garden called Millbrae was purchased and converted by 162 members. Since then, Ayr Rugby Club has become one of the most successful clubs in Scotland with league-topping teams and a full social and community calendar. 

Millbrae Market Garden (1962)

Why are we crowdfunding?

The cost of running and maintaining the dated facilities had been a burden for many years. With no way of raising the funds to both operate and upgrade the run down facilities, the club invited offers from developers to purchase the lands of Millbrae for housing.

The proposed development would have seen the construction of 48 houses in the heart of Burns Country and an access road that would have carved the gardens of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in two.

Brian Williamson started a campaign to save Millbrae for future generations. This attracted the attention of local businessman Alan Macdonald who offered 3 million pounds towards the cost of developing Millbrae for sporting and community purposes. This donation was to be in memory of Alan's only son Barry, a former Ayr player who had died suddenly aged 54 years. The Macdonald Legacy was born.

The Millbrae development is about sport, community and inclusiveness and the club require to raise a further 1 million pounds to complete the project.

Alan Macdonald (Macdonald Legacy) and Brian Williamson (Ayr RFC Chairman)

How we’ll spend the money raised

The project is made up of three phases.

Phase 1: (starting March 2024)

Formation of a new access road from Murdoch's Loan for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles with new car and bus parking facilities. 

Phase 2: (starting August 2024)

Building of a Multi-sport all-weather pitch, access paths, floodlighting for pitch 1 & 2 and structural retention.

Phase 3: (starting January 2025)

Refurbishment of clubhouse, accessible changing facilities and spectator stand, extension to include a performance gym, community cafe and studio space.

(Millbrae masterplan)

Modern sports & community facilities have a positive social impact in many areas including promoting physical activity and health, improving mental health and a sense of belonging, fostering community engagement and social cohesion, promoting diversity and inclusion and generating economic benefits. Ayr Rugby Club works closely with the main sports, education and charity bodies in the area, by working together we can make a big difference to our communty.

(Fireworks Night)

(Ladies beach rugby)

(Charity Santa Dash)

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Donate money. If you would like to support our project please use this page to make a donation, no matter how small. 

2. Pay for a part of the project. In the rewards section you will see parts of the project which you can pay for and dedicate to a person, company or loved one.

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and ask your friends to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Sponsor us. If you are a local business who would like to get involved, get in touch, We are part of a large B2B community and would love to hear from you.

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a good idea!

5.  Join in! We will be carrying out fund-raising events and promoting these on our website and social media channels. Please follow our social media pages, support our events and get involved!

This project closed unsuccessfully on 20th June 2024