MORE money may be required to complete the renovation of Hermitage Park, a report has revealed.

But the park’s new energy efficient Passivhaus design pavilion is earmarked for opening this month following a delay to the process.

The news was revealed this week in a document which will be presented to Argyll and Bute Council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee today (Thursday).

The report states that the £3.5 million project, on which work began in February 2017, is in the final stage of capital delivery, with completion anticipated in the spring – though it does not say how much additional money will be needed to cover construction costs.

The document, by executive director for development and infrastructure Pippa Milne, said: “The landscaping and conservation contractor completed their first phase of works and will return to landscape the external pavilion elements in January 2019, when the pavilion is completed.

“This is expected to take at least eight weeks.

“The play park opened in July 2018, and the first few hours were given to our young competition winners who had exclusive use of the play equipment.

“This event generated positive publicity and feedback shows that the most used words to describe the play park are fun and brilliant.

“The project is in the construction phase and there is a need to continually review the budget against costs and work closely with the design team, contractors and funders to manage any changes required and associated impacts on the budget.

“At this point in time there is a projected additional budget requirement for the construction phase based on anticipated costs.

“Once costs are confirmed, a report will be prepared and brought before members.

“The new Passivhaus pavilion has a revised completion date of December 2018 due to a potential 11-week delay.

“The pavilion lease is currently being advertised and has received lots of interest.

“A closing date for this will be set in line with the Pavilion completion.”

The report adds that volunteer hours have contributed around £42,000 to the project so far, with a target of £102,000 by the end of the five-year activity plan in 2021.

Ms Milne said: “Officers, working with Hermitage Academy, were successful in a bid to Heritage Lottery Fund Year of Young People for £10,000 to enable pupils to volunteer once a month for 18 months to enhance the curriculum and to assist with development of the demonstration garden in the park.

“The assistant park manager was appointed and began work in August 2018 and will play a key role in the successful delivery of the activity plan.

“The work plan focus for late October/early November was on preparing the memorial garden for Armistice Day on Sunday, November 11.

“Officers working with the Friends of Hermitage Park have continued to raise external funds for elements of the project that were constrained by available budgets.”