WORK is continuing to progress in repairing damage caused by Storm Éowyn to Helensburgh Leisure Centre.
The powerful storm struck Scotland in January, with Argyll and Bute Council saying it has caused a ‘complex’ repair process at the £22 million leisure centre, which opened in 2022.
The roof has been damaged to such an extent that the entire roofing system will require to be removed and then relayed layer by layer. The council added that the repair is ‘not as straightforward as sourcing more roofing sheets and re-attaching them as has been suggested by some’.
Given that almost 60% of the outer roofing materials were lost during the storm, an internal rainwater capture system has been recommended by the insurers and disaster recovery experts. This system has been installed by the council and its contractors, and protects the internals from further water damage, whilst allowing roofing contractors to work on the building from above.
The local authority added that it wishes to acknowledge everyone who helped when Storm Éowyn hit, adding that had the collaborative effort not had got things moving as quickly as it did, the repair time could’ve been much longer – although a timescale for the reopening has not been given at this time, the council said that it should be no later than March 2026.
Work already completed includes temporary protection measures on the roof; internal repair work and a water capture system being installed; a waterproof membrane being attached to the roof; a detailed survey of the damage; technical specifications for the roofing and internal repair works; and discussions and tendering with contractors about specific technical and operational requirements.
Argyll and Bute Council policy lead for finance and commercial services, councillor Ross Moreland, said, “We want Helensburgh Leisure Centre to reopen as soon as possible, and we are working hard behind the scenes to make this happen. We are making progress as quickly as circumstances allow, but it is a complex process.
“The ferocity of Storm Eowyn caused considerable damage to the leisure centre. We are extremely grateful to everyone who assisted and stepped up during the initial clear-up to get things moving quickly. We know how much the people of Helensburgh and Lomond value the leisure centre, and we appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. We hope to have more information about the timeline for repairs in the coming weeks, and we will share this as soon as we can.”
