Thursday, 13 May 2004 13:40

Argyll and Bute Council’s £6.5 m project to provide a multi functional leisure facility in Campbeltown officially started today (Thursday 13 May).

The project will provide a much needed boost to the community, with economic benefits for Kintyre and Argyll, and will see the building of a swimming pool, library, fitness suite, crèche and café among other facilities, in a singe attractive structure.

Welcoming guests to the site on Campbeltown’s Kinloch Park, Council Leader Councillor Allan Macaskill said, “The Council has been fully committed to providing the community of Kintyre with a facility which not only replaces the much valued swimming pool, but has developed into a multi functional leisure complex.

“The chosen design successfully meets the needs of the users and the local community as a whole, and underlines the Council’s commitment to delivering the Scottish Executive’s agenda of promoting a healthier lifestyle.”

The official start of work will be marked by the burial of a time capsule by eight local schoolchildren and Chair of the local Area Committee Councillor Alastair McKinlay.

Councillor McKinlay, who will use the spade which cut the first turf at the old swimming pool site to help bury the capsule, said, “ It is impossible to overstate the importance of this project to the local community. The economy of South Kintyre has taken some severe knocks in the past decade and this project is a real shot in the arm both economically and socially for local people.”

The design of the building pays specific attention to energy efficiency, and relies heavily on a Biomass heating system fuelled by locally sourced and sustainable wood chips.
Deputy Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Minister Lewis Macdonald said, "I am delighted to have been able to announce European Regional Development Funding worth around £1.5 million under the Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme.

"The Campbeltown and Kintyre Community Project will provide a vital facility in the heart of a remote economically fragile community.

"The project deserves great credit for the work it has done to be awarded this funding, and I have no doubt it will really make a difference to the area it will serve."
Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland said: “We are delighted to have contributed £700,000 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund Sports Facilities. This award demonstrates our commitment to enhancing sporting opportunities for local communities, by providing them with quality, accessible facilities.

“Sport has a key role to play in Scotland, improving the nations health, promoting social inclusion and introducing communities to the fun and enjoyment sport can provide. This project is sure to encourage the people of Campbeltown and surrounding areas to be more active, more often, helping them to lead a healthier lifestyle.”

Argyll and the Islands Enterprise Chief Executive Ken Abernethy said, “The recent revival in the fortunes of Kintyre after many years of decline is very encouraging. The Campbeltown Community Project is a crucial element in the plan for continued regeneration and it’s great to see work starting.”

Invited dignitaries will include representatives of funding bodies European Regional Development Fund, Argyll and the Islands Enterprise, sportscotland, and the Council.

Main contractors RJ McLeod and local sub contractors McFadyens moved on site in February.

EDITORS NOTES

The original Campbeltown Swimming Pool was built in 1970 and well used by the local community.
As a result of ongoing structural problems the pool was demolished in 2001.
Extensive public consultation clearly established there was a need for a replacement pool.
Funding for the project was assembled with contributions from the Council, Scottish Executive, sportscotland and Argyll and the Islands Enterprise.
A competition was organised by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland to select the optimum design, and the appropriate design team for the project.