Swimming lessons return in Helensburgh as libraries near full service

Hundreds of children have returned to swimming lessons in Helensburgh after they were allowed to resume this week, it has been reported.

But there is no indication of when the town’s Victoria Halls will reopen, according to a representative of the charitable trust which manages leisure facilities in Argyll and Bute.

Colin Crichton, area operations manager with Live Argyll, gave an update on local leisure operations to the council’s Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group yesterday.

Live Argyll has just started stage four of its plan to re-open indoor gyms, fitness centres and swimming pools across the council area.

Mr Crichton told the group: “We are in the midst of our re-opening plan, which started on August 31.

“Things have progressed quite well and we are going to alternative opening hours again this week.

“Our swimming lessons started back on Monday and have been very well received by customers. Helensburgh has the largest swimming programme across Argyll and Bute.

“We would ordinarily have 800, but we have had about 750 children returning. We have also announced a fitness class programme starting on Monday through customer demand.

“The libraries will continue in phase three, offering browsing and click-and-collect services, which again have been well received.

“The Victoria Halls, at the moment, will remain closed. There are no national guidelines regarding community centres.”

Live Argyll plans to enter stage four for large town libraries, which will see full service arrangements restored, from December 1.

This will include limited browsing, photocopying and printing as well as a continued click and collect service.

Smaller libraries across Argyll and Bute, including Cardross, are also due to re-open on that date, according to a timeline on the trust’s website.

Mr Crichton also gave details of some of Live Argyll’s future plans, including a scheme which could help members of affiliated community groups save on use of its services.

He added: “Across the trust, there will be a price review and accreditation scheme for community groups, which is something we are very proud to launch. Anybody in an affiliated community group will receive a discount on our prices.

“We have also invested in our e-book borrowing service, which has proven to be very popular in the current circumstances.

“And we are going to offer virtual programmes for Argyll Active customers, which will begin in December.”