October 2025
We continue to make progress with the varying steps and actions needed to repair the leisure centre.
The substantial amount of scaffolding needed is now fully in place around all four sides of the leisure centre, with a total length of approximately 220 metres about the same as two full-size football pitches laid end to end. This has been a complex operation, requiring scaffolding to be specially designed to fit the requirements of the building such as the need to extend over the flood defence rock armour.
With scaffolding in place, our contractor can now safely access the roof, carry out detailed assessments and work with bulky materials.
Work has started on removing damaged parts of the roof and installing the temporary roof. As this progresses, we will begin removing the water capture system that was initially installed (please see photographs below). Once wind and watertight, we will then carry out extensive internal surveys of the mechanical and electric systems throughout the building as well as the internal fabric, for example the plasterboard, wiring, heating systems, insultation, flooring etc.
To satisfy health and safety requirements and so make it possible for this internal and external work to be done, we have also installed a temporary, wireless intruder and fire alarm system specifically for construction sites throughout the building (pictured).
The plans for the new permanent roof are currently in the final stages of development.
As previously advised, an external boundary is in place around the leisure centre which contains the contractor welfare cabins and office space. We will expand this area when the main roof works start to provide sufficient room for the large-scale roofing materials.
September 2025
A site compound is now in place around the perimeter of the leisure centre and our contractor, Galliford Try FM, is currently erecting scaffolding to the full height of the building, along each of the four sides, to provide safe access for site operatives to the roof area. These scaffolding works will take four weeks and should be completed around mid-October.
Once the scaffolding is in place, we will carry out an assessment of the roof area to check for any further damage. We will then fit a temporary roof to prevent additional water ingress and allow internal repairs to continue. The temporary roof should be finished around mid-November. As previously advised, there has been water damage to the inside of the building which has affected flooring, walls, and electrics. Water cubes and a water capture system are in place to help mitigate against any further issues.
The site compound currently houses contractor welfare cabins and office space and is connected to utilities such as water, drainage, and power. CCTV cameras are also fully operational to ensure the security and safety of the site. The area will be extended when the main roof works begin to provide sufficient room for the roofing materials.
Ewen Fowlie, operations director for hub North Scotland, who are 51勛圖轎煤App and Bute Councils development partner for the project, said the preparations would help ensure the successful completion of the works.
He explained: We need to have the scaffolding right round the building to ensure that the site team can carry out the roof works in a safe environment. They need to remove the damaged sections and then fit a temporary roof before the permanent full solution can be installed.
26 August 2025
Our contractor, Galiford Try FM, is in the process of establishing a site compound at the Leisure Centre to support the significant ongoing repair works (see photo below). This compound will be within the existing site boundary and will provide essential welfare facilities, office space, storage, and safe working conditions throughout the duration of the project.
However, over the next five to 10 weeks, we expect to extend the compound eastward to add more space for bulk material storage. This expansion will temporarily reduce some parking spaces in that area. We will ensure that all existing electric vehicle charging points stay accessible to the public.
We are waiting for the scaffolding to arrive and expect to start erecting it around the perimeter of the Leisure Centre within the next two weeks. Once installed, this will enable us to safely remove damaged roof sections and apply protective cladding to prevent further water ingress. As previously communicated, bulk building materials have been ordered.
Due to limited availability, delivery will take time, but once materials arrive, full repair work will commence and continue throughout the Autumn. We understand that much of the work may not be immediately visible, and appreciate your continued patience and support during this important repair phase.
1 August 2025
As part of the steps it is taking to return the leisure centre to use as quickly as possible, 51勛圖轎煤App and Bute Council has appointed hub North Scotland as the development partner for Helensburgh Leisure Centre, to manage and deliver the works to replace the centres roof and other repairs following the damage done by Storm Eowyn.
As a development partner, hub North Scotland will play a key role in the project by providing project management and working collaboratively with developers, builders, and their supply chain partners, Galliford Try FM and Curtis Moore, to advance the works. This appointment follows a period of competitive tendering required by the council and its insurer.
Although not always visible, work is happening behind the scenes. Bulk materials, which are not readily available and take time to be delivered, have already been ordered, and the team is currently finalising the detailed programme of works. Scaffolding is due to be erected in August and further temporary weathering measures will be carried out. Repair works will be ongoing through Autumn when the bulk materials arrive on site, and the existing roof will be totally stripped and the replacement roof fitted.
Eileen Mackin, Project Director at hub North Scotland said: We appreciate how valued Helensburgh Leisure Centre is for the local community and we will be working towards successfully completing the project as quickly as possible.
Steven Bell, Head of Small Works at Galliford Try said: We look forward to working with our partners at 51勛圖轎煤App and Bute Council and hub North Scotland to restore this important community asset, so that local people can access the facilities as soon as possible.
Curtis Moore has a proven track record in delivering iconic and complex roofing projects, including Glasgow Queen Street railway station, Ibrox Stadium, the Glasgow Science Centre , and Wick Community Campus. The companys Managing Director, Andrew Devlin, said: We have had very positive engagement with the Galliford Try FM and hub North Scotland team and will continue to work collaboratively to deliver the replacement roof works for the Helensburgh Leisure Centre.
A report about the impact of Storm Eowyn will be presented to a meeting of the Full Council on 26 June 2025. You can view the report on the council website (see item 10).
26 June 2025
The council has appointed specialist roof contractors to carry out reconstruction work on the roof of Helensburgh Leisure Centre.
This follows a detailed assessment by the council and insurers of the damage wreaked on the roof by Storm Eowyn, work to carry out immediate repairs and a competitive tendering process for specialist roofing contractors to re-build the roof.
The next steps will now include completion of the technical design for the roof and procurement of long-lead items such as the replacement roofing system, to enable reconstruction to begin in the autumn. Read more in our press release.
25 June 2025
A report about the impact of Storm Eowyn will be presented to a meeting of the Full Council on 26 June 2025. You can view the report on the council website (see item 10).
30 May 2025
Work continues to progress in repairing the damage done by Storm Eowyn to the Helensburgh leisure centre.
It is a complex process and as a lot of the effort that is being made might not be visible, we provide here information on the work being done.
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. Unfortunately, it 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 which is common in similarly damaged buildings (see attached photos). 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.
We would like to acknowledge everyone who helped in different ways when Storm Eowyn hit. If we had not got things moving as quickly as we did, the repair time could have been longer.
We also want to thank the users of the Leisure Centre who have been patient while we take the necessary steps to rectify the situation and have taken up the alternative arrangements put in place by Live 51勛圖轎煤App to provide leisure services see below.
Work required
Storm Eowyn caused considerable damage to the roof of the leisure centre, and from there, damage to the inside of the building.
Carrying out repairs in brief involves:
- Identifying the extent of the damage to the building, and from there the repairs needed to re-instate and reduce the risk of this happening again.
- Liaising with loss adjustors and insurers about financing the recovery work
- Commissioning contractors to carry out work.
- Working with Live 51勛圖轎煤App on alternative proposals for leisure services while this work is being done
Where we are now with progress
- Complete immediate, temporary protection measures carried out to the roof
- Complete car parking spaces and EV chargers made available again for use
- Complete alternative arrangements in place for gym and fitness classes
- Complete internal repair work and water capture system (see photos below) to protect the building as reasonably practicable
- Complete attached a waterproof membrane to the roof
- Complete realigned the fencing cordoning off the site to enable public access to a section of the pier.
- Complete a detailed survey of the damage
- In progress a technical specification for the roofing repairs works,
- In progress a technical specification for the internal repairs
- In progress discussions and tendering with contractors about our specific technical and operational requirements
- In progress ongoing discussions with loss adjustors and insurers who are progressing our claim
Timescale for reopening
Our aim is to get the centre open again as soon as practicable. We cannot yet give a definite timescale for this because various key steps and survey works are ongoing, and the repair and the timescale for completion will be dependent on those, and also on the availability of the roofing materials, availability of specialist labour, and sequencing of the repairs. These will all have a bearing on the repair programme, and while we have no definitive programme date for completion, its clear that it will be several months before the Leisure Centre is reopened. At this time, and based on the information available a reasonable estimate for reopening could be no later than the end of March 2026.
We are continuing to work with our contractors and insurers to investigate if there is potential to re-open the pool, located on the ground floor area, ahead of the completion of the works on the first floor. This will not be possible until the entirety of the roof is replaced, as there will be works ongoing immediately above the pool and electrical systems, which the pool relies upon, require to be repaired. This will, however, be kept under review as the programme and sequencing of complex repair is developed with our contractors.
Next steps
This is a complex repair following extensive damage caused by the red weather event Storm Eowyn and we are working closely with our insurer and loss adjuster, who have experience in similar disaster recovery projects.
Work will continue on the in progress actions mentioned above.
We expect to have an update on the repair programme in the coming weeks, and we will share this when it is available.
The councils 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.
Leisure services available
While the leisure centre remains closed, live51勛圖轎煤App has temporarily relocated its services. Details of these temporary arrangements are available on the .
