EQUIPMENT for Helensburgh’s temporary skatepark will remain in place until a permanent facility is operational, council chiefs have promised.

The chair of the town’s Skatepark Project, Jackie Hood, expressed concern to local councillors that replacement ramps at the waterfront site will be removed before the facility is given a permanent home.

A feasibility study is currently ongoing to find the park a site at Kidston Park, although social media research by the project showed that many users prefer the waterfront site.

The temporary facility on the waterfront is currently expected to be in place by Easter.

The discussion took place at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee on Tuesday, March 12.

Ms Hood said: “I ran a quick 24-hour poll on social media about the location of the skatepark.

"We had 123 respondents, 73 per cent of whom wanted it to remain at the waterfront, 15 per cent voted for Kidston and 12 per cent didn’t mind.

“So it still has massive support. There is a feasibility study going on into Kidston Park and it has not been ruled out by a lot of users should it be deemed a suitable location and the skatepark is moved there.

“What I would like assurance and confirmation on is the replacement ramps, which are going in soon and will stay there until it is constructed.

“I am really concerned that there is no further loss of amenity. If the study says that Kidston is the best place for the skatepark, I am concerned that the temporary ramps will be removed, and it will take several years to build the new park.

"Will they remain in use until that is constructed?”

David Allan, the council’s estates and property development manager, responded: “We would not want to waste the investment in the ramps, so we could look to temporary relocation to allow them to be used and would not move them.”

Ross McLaughlin, the council’s head of commercial services, added: “My recollection from December was that there was a preference about the investigation for Kidston, but also at Hermitage Park.

“So investigations are ongoing at Kidston. The backstop is that there will be a skatepark at the Waterfront until there is an end to this bidding process.”

Ms Hood then asked: “Regarding the £80,000 which the council has funded for the feasibility study, if there is any of it left, will it go towards the planning application for works and drainage at the permanent skate park?”

Mr Allan replied: “The funding was to facilitate the development, so yes.”

The council put up the £80,000 as part of its place-based investment programme in August 2023.