HELENSBURGH'S showpiece new leisure centre must be a “landmark building” of which people in the town can be proud.

The plea was made this week as local councillors heard that the £20 million project won't now be completed until the summer of 2021 – 15 months later than planned.

A meeting of Argyll and Bute Council's Helensburgh and Lomond area committee heard on Tuesday that a design team for the project had yet to be appointed.

And when they do take up their new role, they'll have a plea from local councillor Richard Trail ringing in their ears.

Cllr Trail told Tuesday's meeting: "The council has a habit of just building boxes. I don't want to see another box.

“This is a landmark site, and it's an opportunity to have a landmark building.

“We should not just be talking about good design; we should be delivering good design for the people of Helensburgh."

And Helensburgh Community Council (HCC) has added its support to Cllr Trail's appeal.

The community council set up an advisory panel last year – Architecture and Design Helensburgh – to provide an expert voice on major planning projects in the town, including the waterfront development.

HCC member Nigel Millar, who also sits on Architecture and Design Helensburgh, and who attended Tuesday's meeting, said: “We agree entirely with Richard: it is a landmark site and it deserves a landmark building.

“We're not saying we want a £35 million crown jewel or anything – we're quite happy with the financial envelope of the project – but as well as being a distinguished building outside, it's got to be inspirational on the inside.

“The interior has to inspire performance in the same way the inside of a church, for example, inspires piety and spirituality.

“We don't want a box. We don't want a leisure centre on a bare car park.”

Mr Millar said the design team for the project, when it's appointed, could learn lessons from the design of the Loch Lomond Shores visitor centre and retail complex in Balloch.

He continued: “There's a massive car park at Loch Lomond Shores but the site isn't dominated by car parks.

“We feel it's important to have a building that integrates well both with the site and with the town as a whole.”

Mr Millar also urged the council to ensure that the Helensburgh community has a voice at the heart of the project throughout its design and construction.

He added: “Community engagement is critical. Helensburgh Community Council was involved in the CHORD project and the Hermitage Park project; we're taking a lead role in the regeneration of the James Street park, and we've made a good start with keeping the beach clean and keeping Colquhoun Square tidy.

“Architecture and Design Helensburgh has qualified and very experienced architects among its membership, including one who has been involved in designing leisure centres in the past.

“All that expertise is at the council's disposal and we feel it would be a shame if it wasn't used.

“We don't want to muscle in on the project but we believe the Hermitage Park project is a great example of a partnership approach and we want to see that happen with the waterfront project.”

A report written for Tuesday's meeting by project manager Andrew Collins states that the next phase of 'stakeholder engagement' will begin in November, subject to the appointment of consultants.

Mr Collins says in his 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 users.”