COUNCILLORS are to be asked to approve a process to consider the future of leisure service provision in Dunoon and Cowal.
Argyll and Bute Council reported in May that there is “an increased risk of closure” as the Riverside Swim and Health Centre gets older.
Work which took place in late 2025 is thought to have extended the life of the facility for three years, but questions remain about its future beyond then.
A long list of eight options has been published in a council report, ranging from taking no action to building a standard pool, teaching pool, fitness and leisure facilities and public health and wellbeing facilities.
A range of sites are also long-listed, including the current site, land at Dunoon Stadium, land at Black Park football ground, and land at Dixon Avenue.
Council officials will work through the options if the list is agreed by the authority’s policy and resources committee at its meeting on Thursday, August 20. No decisions will be made at the meeting on any specific option to be followed.
It is also stated among recommendations in a report that officers will present initial proposals for any interim provision of facilities to the council in November.
Executive director Douglas Hendry said in the report: “As reported to the committee in May 2026, the need for this project, arises from a detailed assessment of condition of the Riverside Swim and Health Centre, the identification of significant structural issues, and the limited capital works undertaken in late 2025.
“These limited works are expected to have extended the operational life of the centre for a further three years, however, there remains an increased risk of closure as the building age increases, particularly beyond 2028/29.
“Recognising that development of any leisure facilities represents a substantial investment and commitment by the council, officers are currently preparing a strategic outline case which provides for the development and appraisal, against agreed criteria, of options for what, and how, facilities might be provided to meet the needs and objectives set for the project.
“This report provides a description of the approach to developing the options that are being considered in the strategic outline case, and the manner in which a recommended option will be identified i.e. the criteria against which these will be assessed, and how the economic and financial impact of any option will be measured.
“The report also provides the long list of sites that are being considered for any new development and the criteria against which these sites will be considered.”
Mr Hendry added: “In making recommendations for what may a substantial investment by the council, it is important that all reasonable options are included and are considered in a robust manner.
“Whilst in the individual qualitative criteria and in the bringing together of the qualitative, economic and financial assessment, there are subjective judgments to be made, the options and the framework for assessment proposed, represent a robust and transparent approach to identifying and assessing options for future leisure provision in Dunoon and Cowal, providing the council and members with appropriate information of the implications of a significant decision, and of a potentially substantial investment.
“Members are invited to note, and provide comment on, the proposed options and framework, and asked to approve the recommendations to allow the business case to be developed, the options to be assessed and a recommended option to be identified.”
