Future of Dunoon leisure facilities on the agenda next week
Work being done on the longer term future of leisure services in Dunoon will be discussed when the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee meets next week.
A report to committee outlines various options for what facilities could be provided, where, and how they could be delivered.
If agreed by councillors, these options will be assessed by a joint team from the Council, Live Argyll and HSCP (health and social care partnership), to reach a recommended way forward that will go to councillors for consideration in November.
This work is being done in response to significant structural issues that have been identified in the existing Riverside Swim and Health Centre. Remedial works carried out by the council are expected to have extended the operational life of the Centre. The report notes however that risk increases as the building age increases, so work is being done based on anticipated operational difficulties with the building that are likely to be experienced post 2028/29.
Options cover different levels of fitness and leisure facilities, and a range of potential council-owned sites for any new development, including the existing Riverside site, land at Dunoon Stadium, Black Park Football Ground, Dixon Avenue, Glenmorag Car Park, Hamilton Street Depot, Castle Gardens, Dolphin Hall and land at Sandbank.
Proposed criteria for assessing options are also outlined in the report. These include health, wellbeing and finance.
The progress update going to councillors in November will include initial proposals for interim facilities during any gap between the existing centre closing and new arrangements being in place.
Policy Lead for Finance and Commercial Services, Councillor Ross Moreland, said:
“The Riverside Swim and Health Centre has served the area for many years but given the condition of the building we are looking ahead to what could work sustainably in the longer term.
“This report does not ask councillors to choose a final option. It asks committee to agree the options and assessment criteria that will allow a robust business case to be developed.
A lot of work is being done to progress this and I welcome this report coming to committee for discussion.”
