Work on Helensburgh’s long-awaited waterfront development will start a year later than planned, a report has revealed.
Latest plans for the £17m Argyll and Bute Council project will be discussed this week, with a trip to see Clydebank’s newly-opened swimming pool being suggested.
Work had been expected to start in 12 months’ time, but the report says the start date is now July 2019, with the new swimming pool opening two years later – 12 months ago councillors were told the pool would open in April 2020.
The existing pool building will be demolished in December 2021 , when landscaping and the car park should also be complete, says the report by executive director of development and infrastructure services: Pippa Milne.
She says the timescale has been delayed: “To take account of further work that had been undertaken on the project since the wider project team was put in place in January.
“It is appreciated that members and the local community wish to see this important project delivered swiftly. We therefore offer our apologies to the area committee for the inclusion of these timescales in the previous report.”
The project will include flood defence work for the pier and parking for 250 cars, as well as:
- A 25-metre swimming pool
- Capacity for 150 spectators, as required to host district swimming events;
- A teaching pool with instruction space;
- Improved dry side facilities with double the number of changing rooms, lockers, showers etc.
- Larger health and gym suites
- Two new studios for fitness and dance classes etc
Ms Milne’s report states; “The next stage of stakeholder engagement is expected to begin by November 2017, subject to the appointment of consultants mentioned in this report.
“This engagement will enable the local community to assist us to develop the detail of the design and to ensure that the building is fit-for purpose in terms of meeting the requirements of the various building users.”
Consultant are expected to be appointed by the end of next moth, and it is suggested that members of the Helensburgh and Lomond area committee visit the Clydebank leisure centre: “It would provide an excellent opportunity to meet with a neighbouring local authority that has just gone through a design, procurement and construction exercise and to learn from their experiences.
“It is proposed that any visit could include a representative from key stakeholder organisations, subject to area committee agreement.”
How unfortunate that this wasn’t announced before the elections last month and last week. Just a coincidence I’m sure
Has the world gone totally bananas a 25 metre olympic swiming pool is an oblong hole in the ground lined with concrete and tiled there are thousands through out the world down load the design and specification.
The Fancy low pitched curved roof that will obvious leak before it is completed should be scrapped as the graphic displays it will only be visible if you hover 500 feet above Helensburgh sailing club a facility not available to most citizens.
Over the oblong hole in the ground fit a standard well insulated warehouse shed with a 45 degree pitched roof.
If is neccesary to add some style to the facade facing Clyde Street then have the local schools run a competition to design the frontage of the buildng which can be added later once the pool has repaid the construction costs.
Please can we stop employing highly paid and over stimulated Architects!.
Only one year late? Is this to be another never never job from ABC? It’s clear that nothing has changed. The same clowns in charge that are unable to make any sensible decisions.
Remember the Chord chaos. On day one they closed and ripped up the west esplanade. After 18 months lying derelict they decided to do the tests before making a decision on the silly step-seats that are now more of a hazard than a benefit. Only then did they start work to reinstate the front. Meanwhile the town drove away visitors rather than attracting them.
While I’m at it the nonsense of blocked off lanes at the junction at King St and Sinclair street is still a total disaster. Like many others I avoid that junction and use the other congested side streets rather than get caught behind the right turners stuck and holding up everybody else. We were promised re-phased lights to solve the problem. Just like the seafront development it never happened.
Dougie, please shut up if you have nothing constructive to say then say nothing.
I am sick of you and I am sure most of the folk around Helensburgh are sick of you as well
You seem to be playing the man not the ball here, Rod. My politics are very different from Dougie and I’ve disagreed with him many times in the past but his comments here seemed fair.is that a glass house you’re living in?
Sorry Doh he talks too long and too often and it is all sierra hotel one tango.