THE planned reopening date of Helensburgh's stricken leisure centre may be delayed, council bosses have revealed.
In an update published on Christmas Eve, Argyll and Bute Council confirmed that repairs to the storm-damaged building are progressing.
Internal furnishings are being stripped out and moisture is gradually being removed from the walls after the roof was ripped off the facility in January.
The centre has been shut ever since, and local authority chiefs had hoped to welcome customers again in March 2026. However, the provisional date may now be pushed back.
The latest update said: "We are committed to opening the building as soon as it is safe and practicable; however, the scale and complexity of the required repairs mean that the reopening timeline may extend beyond earlier expectations.
"Although our current working estimate suggests that Helensburgh Leisure Centre could re-open by the end of March 2026, this date is provisional and may be revised once further assessments are complete.
"We expect an update in early 2026, at which point we will be able to provide more details."
The water-damaged flooring inside the building's gym and two dance studios has been removed and the concrete floor underneath is in the process of being dried out.
Rainwater catchers that were installed inside the building are in the process of being removed, and additional damaged plaster and internal furnishings are being stripped out.
And the heating systems have been turned on, with the heat slowly increasing to reduce further damage to the plaster and walls.
Steps are now being taken to install the permanent roof, which is expected to start on January 7.
A further update will be provided in early 2026, when the council said more details will be provided.
A spokesperson said: "We are continuing to make progress on the leisure centre. We have been able to turn on the heating system and initial indications are that it is around 70 per cent operational.
"We are slowly increasing the heat to reduce the possibility of damage to the plaster and remove the moisture from the internal walls, but this may still need targeted dehumidification.
"We will continue to monitor this and take any action as required.
"We are progressing the complicated design work to bring the new roof, insulations and services into the existing building to comply with all relevant standards and consents. Steps required to install the permanent roof will start on January 7.
"The recovery actions taken meant that a series of detailed condition surveys including the internal building condition survey and the mechanical and electrical condition survey could be undertaken.
"This stage has now been completed, and we are awaiting the findings of these surveys.
"Their results will provide a comprehensive understanding of the full extent of reinstatement required and will therefore have consequential impacts on the reinstatement programme."
The council statement added that around 70 parking spaces will be temporarily removed to support the start of the permanent roof works in early January.
The existing site compound will be extended, however, access to the four EV charging points will be maintained throughout the works.
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