Staff will finally move into Argyll and Bute Council’s £8.3m offices in Helensburgh next Monday (November 16).
Originally due to be complete in February this year, the former Clyde Street School has been renamed the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre – the most popular choice of the public.
Work started in August 2013, and staff from five buildings will move into the new centralized facility in a phased programme over three weekends to ensure continuity of services to the public.
The new building aims to provide local people with a centralised one-stop-shop for all services as well as a range of indoor and outdoor community spaces.
The three Grade-B listed buildings that make up the former Clyde Street School were designed by Alexander Nisbet Paterson and constructed in 1903 – these have been renovated, with the addition of a new extension.
Chair of the council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee, Gary Mulvaney, said, “This investment will bring real benefits to the people of Helensburgh and Lomond. It will make it easier for people to make contact with the council and find out about our services.
“Having around 140 members of staff based in the heart of the town can only be good news.
“An important part of the process has been listening to the views and wishes of local people who took part in a consultation; in particular the council has taken special recognition of the importance of the former school to the community.
“This contributed to the design of the building which will provide space for community groups and recreation, and to accommodate the rich and diverse range of cultural activities enjoyed by local people.”
Services are transferring from four town centre buildings – all of which are currently shown as under offer with a closing date of September 4 – as well as Blairvadach House and the community wing of Colgrain Primary School.
The Helensburgh Customer Service Centre presently situated in Scotcourt House will remain open during the period of moving and resettling.
Full details of the move including information about parking, bus routes and plans for the vacated buildings are expected to appear on the council website next week.
An open day is currently being arranged, as well as a separate official opening event.
Following a period of settling in, it is envisaged that bookable rooms will become available to members of the public in January 2016.
Nothing like wasting money whilst having to make millions of savings eh? Just like planting pansies in Kilcreggan in the pouring rain in November, the cost of the plants and two members of staff – value for money for council tax? And yet the culvert overflows in Kilcreggan on Fort Rd and no body answers the phone at the council, apparently!