Pier site is top priority
Published 21 Feb 2012 09:30
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Helensburgh looks set to benefit from almost £15 million of investment.
Top of the list is a brand new swimming pool and leisure facility for the town due to be built by 2015.
The move by councillors follows overwhelming support for a new recreational centre to be built on the pierhead site.
The new centre is expected to cost Argyll and Bute £7.5m and will consist of a swimming pool, gym and sports hall.
Speaking ahead of today's (Thursday) decision, depute leader of the council, Councillor Ellen Morton said: "For all eight Helensburgh & Lomond members of the recently formed administration, the delivery of a new swimming pool and leisure centre on the pier was the top priority.
"This budget is the culmination of years of work and I am delighted that Helensburgh pier area will get £9.8 million allocated to it when the Budget goes through today.
"We will keep the existing pool in operation until the new facility is built so Helensburgh will always have access to a swimming pool."
The latest version of the pierhead masterplan, which is still undergoing public consultation, shows the new leisure centre facing Kidston Park located behind the existing swimming pool.
Last month, a public consultation on proposals for the pierhead site found that 88 per cent of respondents called for a new swimming pool to be built on the land.
Helensburgh Councillor Gary Mulvaney said: "If people don't like this location that can be changed and we would encourage residents to send in their views but one thing that is certain is that the new swimming pool will be built on the pierhead site."
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