A "major construction milestone" was reached this week in the multi-million pound project to build a new leisure centre in Helensburgh.

The waterfront site celebrated a traditional 'topping out' ceremony, marking the completion of the building’s structure and roof.

Argyll and Bute Council's flagship investment will include the creation of a new leisure centre and swimming pool, improved flood defences for the town, new outdoor public meeting spaces, new landscaping and car and coach parking.

Helensburgh Advertiser: The centre is expected to open next summerThe centre is expected to open next summer

The centre is set for completion next summer, with the total cost of the project estimated to be around £22 million.

The council appointed construction firm Heron Bros Ltd to start work in August 2020, and the development is said to be "on course and in budget" to open in 2022.

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Helensburgh councillor Gary Mulvaney, the local authority's policy lead for financial services and major projects, said: “Topping out the waterfront development marks a significant milestone as this fantastic build really starts to take shape.

"The new state-of-the-art leisure facility will bring multiple benefits to the local community and is already supporting local economic recovery from the impact of the pandemic.

"Building a development on this scale has created local employment opportunities for tradespeople and site workers, apprenticeships and education programmes for young people, and sponsorship for local community groups and organisations.

"We are committed to ongoing investment for our town centres, making them vibrant places for communities and to help attract new residents, businesses and visitors to the area. We look forward to the next stage of the development taking shape.”

The main swimming and training pools are now complete and internal works are progressing, including the installation of underfloor heating on the ground floor, mechanical and electrical works throughout the building including to the changing village, fitness studios, sauna and steam room, and the installation of a new lift.

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Cathal Heron, Heron Bros regional director, said: “Heron Bros is extremely pleased with the progress made to date.

"It is an exciting time as we ‘top out’ this leading leisure facility with Argyll and Bute Council.

"The celebration represents a high point not only for the project build, but it is also testament to the entire project team, who have worked so effectively, diligently, and safely together in making such impressive progress.

"Projects of this scale leave behind a legacy that goes beyond the physical construction and our team is proud to contribute to the transformation of Helensburgh’s waterfront.”