Helensburgh Leisure Centre equipment removed from building after roof torn apart

A route map for reopening Helensburgh Leisure Centre is expected to be laid out next week as the town’s library temporarily moves its premises.

Equipment from the gym at the leisure facility is to be moved into the library on West King Street after Storm Eowyn badly damaged the roof.

It means that the library’s books and resources will be moved to Hermitage Park pavilion, although it will not open there until February 11 at the earliest. Leisure classes are also moving to the Victoria Halls.

Video footage showed chunks of the leisure centre roof flying off during the stormy weather of January 24.

Officers of Live Argyll and Argyll and Bute Council are now working on the “fluid” situation but hope to have more clarity soon.

Live Argyll general manager Paul Ashworth told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We are currently in the middle of organising our contingency response to the enforced closure of the Helensburgh Leisure Centre.

“As you will appreciate, it’s been a difficult week as there has been a lot to organise and there has been a lot of moving parts with the situation being fluid.

“Over the past week, we are working hard with our council colleagues as to when we are likely to be able to access the facility to resume our service, as well as what contingencies we can offer in the meantime.

“We should be in a position next week to have a better idea as to what these might be.”

Live Argyll told service users by email: “This move allows us to continue serving the community with our library service during our normal opening hours, ensuring you have access to our library resources.

“We are working diligently to prepare the space and aim to have the library operational by Tuesday, February 11.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this transition may cause and appreciate your understanding as we make these necessary adjustments.”