FURTHER updates are due on Helensburgh Leisure Centre next week – over a month after councillors asked for them to be issued more regularly.
Argyll and Bute Council’s dedicated page on repairs to the facility has not been updated since Wednesday, September 24, when scaffolding began to be built.
On the same day, a full council meeting heard pleas from councillors for updates to be issued more regularly, with the authority’s joint depute leader saying it could be possible.
A council official has said that updates continue to be issued on a monthly basis, with a further one due next week.
The leisure centre has been closed since January, with its roof having sustained major damage during Storm Eowyn. Its gym facilities have relocated to the town’s library, which has itself relocated to Hermitage Park pavilion.
Councillor Gary Mulvaney (Conservative, Helensburgh Central) asked at the September meeting: “Would you agree with me that we are making progress on the leisure centre, but maybe in terms of public consultations, we are not getting the sense of urgency we have as a council to get the works done?
“It does not come across into the public domain. Do you have any thoughts on how we improve some of the communications around this and give people a sense that things are happening? The more information we share the better.”
Councillor Ross Moreland (Liberal Democrat, Dunoon), the council’s joint depute leader, responded: “I would agree. It is easy for us around the chamber to know what is going on behind the scenes.
“Now there is more visible work, hopefully the council gets the message out to the public so they can see stuff happening.
“I think we will be putting out updates more regularly now that we can see work taking place.”
Councillor Fiona Howard (Labour, Helensburgh Central) added: “During the construction phase of the swimming pool there was a weekly update from the on-site manager, which was greatly appreciated by the people in the town. They are seeking a similar service; is that feasible?”
Councillor Moreland said: “After the initial storm it was a bit more difficult as it was behind the scenes, but now there is work going on, we can look at something similar.”
An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said on Friday, October 24: “We provide monthly Helensburgh Leisure Centre updates on the council website. The next update is due next week.”
Prior to September 24, the last update on the council website was on Tuesday, August 26.
