COUNCIL officials hope to make “a positive announcement” soon on the lease of Hermitage Park’s new pavilion, a report has revealed.
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to delays in implementing the terms of lease for the Passivhaus Pavilion at the Helensburgh park, which were agreed at the end of 2019.
The virus has also led to delays with a limited amount of landscape and conservation work as part of the £3.7million heritage-led regeneration project.
The report will be considered by members of Argyll and Bute Council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee at its meeting via Skype on Thursday, September 10.
Kirsty Flanagan, the executive director with responsibility for development and infrastructure, said in the progress update: “Capital delivery is almost complete with a small number of landscape and conversation snagging works outstanding due to inability to progress these during the Covid-19 restriction.
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“The focus is now on delivering the activities plan and undertaking the planting and management and maintenance plan.
“Lot one – the Passivhaus Pavilion – is complete. Lot two – Landscape and Conservation – [is now] subject to the snagging and defects period which runs to January 2021.
“As all construction works are now complete, with the exception of the snagging/retention period for lot two, the final budget figures are being collated.
“The heads of terms relating to the lease of the pavilion café were agreed in December 2019 and have been subject to delay due to Covid-19.
“In addition, there has been a further request to change the commercial terms. It is hoped that the process will be concluded shortly and a positive announcement made soon.
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“Delivery of the five-year activity plan continues until 2021 and HLF (Heritage Lottery Fund) have agreed an extension of the project to December 2021 to enable a full year of delivery of the activity plan with works complete.”
Ms Flanagan added: “The previous report (in March, when the committee last met) showed volunteer hours with a value of £86,110 up to September 30.
“We do not have the increase in volunteer figures at the time of this report however we continue to be on target to deliver the proposed £102,000 by the end of the activity plan.
“The Hermitage Park manager post was advertised and the successful candidate took up post on August 17.
“The project continues to attract press and the Friends of Hermitage Park keep the community updated through their Facebook pages #Helensburgh Hermitage Park and with regular articles in the local press.”
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