Roof repairs complete at Helensburgh Leisure Centre

The completion of the roof repairs marks a key phase of the recovery programme following the extensive storm damage caused by Storm Eowyn. The centre’s roof was redesigned and rebuilt with enhanced resilience measures to improve long-term performance and reduce future risk.

Contractors have now removed the scaffolding from around the building, and the leisure centre car park has partially reopened, with around 35 additional parking spaces now available at the lower section of the site.

The bus turning area at the southwest corner of the car park has also reopened, making it easier for visiting coaches to drop off passengers and access waiting areas.

Councillor Ross Moreland, pictured right, Policy Lead for Finance and Commercial Services, said: “The completion of the roof repairs is a significant achievement and an important milestone in the wider programme of works at Helensburgh Leisure Centre. The roof successfully withstood the fierce Storm Boelo without issue.

 I know local people have been eager to see progress, particularly around the availability of parking, and I’m pleased that additional parking spaces and the coach turning area will be reopening from early November.

“While there is still work to do before the centre can fully reopen, this marks another positive step forward in restoring this important community facility.”

As outlined in the Council’s most recent update, investigations uncovered a number of previously unidentified issues within the building, meaning the project evolved from a roof repair programme into a more complex restoration project.

Physical works to repair the building’s internal areas are paused temporarily as we address these additional issues identified during the strip-out phase.  Significant work is ongoing in surveying and planning the restoration, which is now more extensive than originally forecast.

This is complicated as it involves technical considerations of the works but also has to consider where liability may lie. As previously reported, formal notices of claim have been issued to certain parties, with the Council pursuing legal routes to mitigate losses.

The Council is working to resolve these complex matters as efficiently as possible to return the building to full operations as a matter of urgency.

Councillor Ross Moreland said: “We continue to work closely with our insurers, loss adjusters and specialist contractors to resolve these complex matters as efficiently as possible. Our objective remains to return the building to full operation and reopen Helensburgh Leisure Centre as soon as possible.”