“SIGNIFICANT progress” has been made on Helensburgh’s new waterfront leisure centre, according to a senior Argyll and Bute councillor.

All glazing and flood defences are now complete at the site of the new facility, which is being built by Northern Ireland-based Heron Bros and is due to open in August 2022.

The main pool tank and studio pool have also been filled with water and passed pre-tiling testing, while car park and public realm works are well under way.

The details are revealed in an update from Helensburgh Central councillor Gary Mulvaney, who is also the authority's policy lead for strategic finance and major projects.

In his report, Cllr Mulvaney said: “Heron Bros has continued to make significant progress against their contract programme and the project currently remains on programme and within budget.

“Mechanical and electrical installations are progressing at a pace to the whole of the building including to ground floor changing village, reception area, plantroom, gym, fitness studios, sauna, steam room etc.

"Lomond Stone walling to the bin store, electric sub-station and retaining walls are complete.

“Works to the site access road (junction to Tower Place residents car park access) are nearing completion.

"These works were originally programmed in phase 2 (September 2022) once the new leisure centre, car park and public realm (phase 1) works were completed and opened in August 2022.

“However, granite kerbs and pavers purchased several years ago by the council from the CHORD Contractor are being utilised as much as possible within the public realm areas of the project.

“This opened up the opportunity to bring forward these works by 12 months, undertaking the works now would be less intrusive and disruptive to the town, than the later original programmed date when the leisure centre and phase 1 are fully open to the public.”

Councillor Mulvaney then listed many activities which are progressing “at a pace” on the new leisure centre.

However, he repeated his previous warning that some challenges may crop up in the months leading up to its projected opening.

He added: “Whilst the project has made significant progress to date, it’s being delivered in the midst of a global pandemic. Currently it remains on programme and within budget.

“However, the project management team recognise that issues of a commercial nature will likely emerge given the size and scale of this complex major capital project, and we continue to work closely with all parties to mitigate and minimise the potential impact of these upon the delivery of the works.”