INTERNAL repairs at Helensburgh Leisure Centre are set to take until spring 2027 to complete, a councillor has said.
But Argyll and Bute Council can only say that the facility will open “as soon as practicable in 2027”, while “potential issues” have been found inside the building.
The leisure centre has been closed since January 2025, when Storm Eowyn ripped off parts of its roof. Councillor Ross Moreland (Liberal Democrat, Dunoon) also reported that roof repairs are due to be complete next month.
The details feature in Councillor Moreland’s report as policy lead for finance and commercial services, which will go before the full council at its meeting on Wednesday, September 23.
Councillor Moreland said: “Investigations into the storm damage uncovered a number of previously unidentified potential issues.
“As a result, what initially appeared to be a significant roof repair and fabric project has evolved into a much more complex programme involving detailed follow-up investigations and potentially complex restoration work.
“A key milestone has been the redesign of the leisure centre roof. Rather than replacing the original structure on a like-for-like basis, the new design incorporates enhanced fixtures, fittings and resilience measures aimed at improving long-term performance and reducing future risk. Works are due to complete in October 2026.
“Within these timescales the substantial external scaffolding and temporary compound will be dropped and scaled back. This will permit more public parking spaces coming back into use.
“Internal strip-out of weather-damaged materials started in July and is due to complete at the end of October. Internal repairs and reinstallation of mechanical, electrical and fabric are currently forecast to commence at the beginning of November and will be ongoing until spring 2027.
“However, during these most recent strip out and down taking process, contractors discovered potential issues inside the building. These require further investigation to understand their impact on the programme to reopen and that work is underway as a matter of urgency.”
Councillor Moreland added: “A programme of assessment and remediation is now being developed to address these issues and, where possible, align works with the wider restoration programme to minimise delays.
“Like everyone, we want the leisure centre opened as soon as possible. Comprehensive repair works continue to be carried out.
“We share frustrations about the obstacles that are presenting themselves but are focused on continuing work so that the centre reopens as soon as circumstances allow.
“While the scale and complexity of the project mean some uncertainties remain, the council’s objective is to complete the required repairs and remediation works and reopen Helensburgh Leisure Centre as soon as practicable in 2027.”
