Letters from our readers - A missed chance for the waterfront?

The council approved an additional £5.579m for the project on February 11 that with earlier amounts allocated would allow the project to proceed.

The UK budget in March announced that: “The government will also allocate £5 million from banking fines for a new leisure facility in Helensburgh".

I was surprised therefore to learn that this £5m will not in reality result in any additional funding for the project.

Councillor Corry confirmed that the original intention of the UK government funding was only to close any gaps in funding of the project.

As full funding had been approved by the council on February 11, it may appear that there was no reason for UK government to provide any additional funding.

At the same council meeting, it had also been agreed that in the event of any additional funding being obtained, such freed up capital would be used towards Phase 2 of the Dunoon wooden pier project and exploration of the Rosneath Peninsula and Garelochhead priorities.

Either the additional funding from the UK government is unnecessary, or the receipt of this funding will not benefit the Helensburgh project as funds will simply be diverted to other projects.

Perhaps the real question should be: “Is Helensburgh missing an opportunity to increase the scope of the currently proposed leisure facility contained within the overall project as a result of transferring £5m of funding to other projects?”

Lee Humphries,

Helensburgh

FOR a number of years now, all Helensburgh and Lomond councillors have worked together to bring a much needed pool and leisure facility to the town.

The decision of the council in February, which brought the funding commitment for this facility to approximately £18 million, was welcomed by all concerned. We then received the announcement from Chancellor George Osborne just a few weeks later of a £5 million funding boost to this project which was warmly welcomed by most of us living in the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

Our delight was short lived given the latest decision taken by the area committee on the new facility which is beyond belief. As the council had already underwritten virtually £18 million towards this project before the £5 million was awarded by the chancellor, like many others, I assumed that this would bring the funding available to £23 million which would ensure a first class facility for Helensburgh. No chance.

The decision by the area committee ensures that the funding for the leisure facility remains at £18 million, which in turn, releases £5 million to be re-allocated to Dunoon for their old wooden pier.

It is now clear to me that, no matter what spin anyone tries to put on this decision, the only winner from the £5 million awarded by the chancellor to Helensburgh will be Dunoon and its old wooden pier

It is bad enough that the Council Tax payer in Helensburgh and Lomond is having to subsidise CHORD projects in other towns across Argyll and Bute (yes, including Dunoon) for the next 30 years without now releasing £5 million to Dunoon that had secured for the Helensburgh swimming pool and leisure facility.

Councillor George S Freeman,

Ward 9 – Lomond North

THE Stay/Leave campaigns so far have been long on rhetoric and short on fact. It occurs to me that some undeniable facts are being overlooked.

The Leave campaigners tell us that there will be no significant disruption to our economy or lifestyle should we vote Brexit. This is certainly true for those leading this campaign at the top, as for the rest of us....?

Fact 1. The EU is currently experiencing difficulties in a number of areas.

Fact 2. Britain is not the only member state to be dissatisfied with the the EU.

Fact 3. It is believed that at least three other states would follow Britain’s lead in the event of Brexit.

Fact 4. The above events could ultimately lead to the collapse of the entire EU project.

My point is this, Brexit would be entirely against the interests of the EU.

For the EU, Britain sailing off into the sunset, thriving and prosperous and then returning to the club without any need to acknowledge the club rules is a direct threat to the club’s stability.

The EU may not directly disrupt British departure but it will certainly offer little in the way of assistance nor will we be offered favourable trading terms.

No one said the EU would be easy, of course it needs reform but this is no reason to commit economic suicide by voting to leave. As usual, it will not be those at the top paying the price.

Charlie Gallagher,

Main Street,

Arrochar

FIRST may I would like to thank and congratulate Cllr Ellen Morton and her fellow councillors in securing the funding needed for the replacement swimming pool and extended gym.

I must admit my forecast of “not in my lifetime” may well be wrong. However, like Cllr Robb, I am worried there has not been enough consideration of the best design.

The broad choice would seem to be between a 1950s style rectangular pool with spectator seating and a 21st century leisure pool with waves, beaches, a flume, slides, boards, outside area and an open café area (with potted palms). My own belief is that if we want to Helensburgh to be a seaside visitor destination, particularly for visitors to the National Park with children, a modern leisure pool is a much more attractive proposition, isn’t it?

It may well prove unaffordable but a few weeks to examine likely demand for each type of facility and likely costs would seem to me time and money well spent.

If money is tight, the provision of 150 permanent spectator seats seems “over the top”. I might well be wrong but can only see use for these three or four times a year; when hosting local inter club galas. Indeed, if there was a greater frequency it would require a level of closure to the general public that I think would be unacceptable.

If we are going for a “sport” rather than “leisure” option then the provision of a 50m pool with a diving pond that could host national galas and water and canoe polo would open up numerous opportunities and might be worth looking at (although the closure problem will not go away).

The Community Sports Hub is currently looking at how best we can use the resources we have and might have in the future, to get the Helensburgh community more active. The pool must be central to that discussion.

Can I suggest that a study team is established from current and potential pool/gym users, councillors and senior pool staff, possibly chaired by the Sports Hub organiser. This team would look at design options and, as importantly, pool operations so that we get the best out of this fantastic opportunity of a great facility for locals and a major attraction for visitors.

Geoff Riddington,

via email

COMRADES, it is a straight two-horse EU race – the people versus the establishment. The future is at stake.

The establishment told you: “We’re all in it together.” They grew rich and powerful.

The establishment told you: “We are your great friends and benefactors.” They grew rich and more powerful.

When things went wrong the establishment apologised. “Nothing is perfect,” they said. We forgave. They grew rich and more powerful.

The establishment likes freedom of choice. Live the lie or live the truth.

Vote to Leave the EU on June 23.

James Graham,

via email

THE European referendum is almost upon us. Have you made up your mind yet? It is difficult, I know. Voters ask for facts but few are forthcoming.

It is simple really. Do we throw away everything gained over the last 40 years, or do we build on what has been achieved so far? In any association there will be things some are unhappy about, but generally speaking life is better for most of us.

As members of the EU there is always potential to make improvements over time.

Do we take and enormous chance and go with the expectation of the exit campaigners, or do we chose the wise strategy of securing what we already have?

Do we listen to politicians like Michael Gove and Iain Duncan Smith, who are driven by selfish political ambitions? When did they ever show interest in voters or their opinions?

What if Britain left the EU and other countries started to follow suit? What if Europe once again became fragmented and old enemies started to re-emerge?

Britain could once again find itself isolated and alone. In today’s troubled world we need all the friends we can get.

David Core,

Helensburgh