A REPORT on options for the future of Helensburgh Leisure Centre could be released by the end of next month, a councillor has said.
The facility’s roof was described as “fragile” in a report before a full council meeting, while a report setting out “a number of options” was also proposed.
Councillor Gary Mulvaney (Conservative, Helensburgh Central) raised the matter further at the meeting with Councillor Ross Moreland (Liberal Democrat, Dunoon), the council’s policy lead for finance and commercial services.
The meeting, which took place on Thursday, April 24, also heard from Councillor Mulvaney that the relocation of the gym to the town’s library building was “working very well”.
He said: “Councillor Moreland has picked up on the fact that Live Argyll have done really well in relocating the gym facilities.
“But we remain without a swimming pool, which is not only for the town, it covers the whole of Helensburgh and Lomond.
“Can he give us an update on when we can get a report with more information as to what the plan is to at least potentially bring the swimming pool back into use?
“We have missed the school Easter holidays, but this is even so we can ensure people are able to use the pool as we approach the summer holidays.
“The gym, I understand, is working very well and I have heard positive comments from people about the location in the library. However, the loss of the pool remains keenly felt.”
Councillor Moreland responded: “Councillor Mulvaney is absolutely right in what he has said. It is vital to Helensburgh that we get the leisure centre fixed, but we need to get it fixed right.
“We hope to have a report at the end of next month that will lay out the options. I would not want to comment further at the moment.”
He had said in a report before the meeting: “The building has sustained extensive wind and rainwater damage. It has a fragile roof and to ensure public safety a cordon has been put in place around it.
“Works have been undertaken since then to make the building wind and watertight through the installation of waterproof membrane and a rainwater capture system.
“Survey work is also underway and the council is working with its insurer to inform the development of a strategy for a permanent design solution. Following this work a report will be prepared for council setting out a number of options for consideration.”
