Mushrooms growing inside storm-damaged Helensburgh Leisure Centre

Mushrooms have been shown growing inside Helensburgh Leisure Centre, as Argyll and Bute Council published a video revealing the extent of its need for repair.

Damaged floorboards and disconnected pipes can also be seen in the footage from the town’s Waterfront facility, published with the authority’s latest update on work at the building.

The statement admitted that the centre will not reopen by the end of March as initially hoped. It has been closed for over a year after parts of the roof were ripped off by Storm Eowyn on January 24, 2025.

Helensburgh Leisure Centre during Storm Eowyn Supplied

The two and a half minute video, on the council’s YouTube channel, also states that a temporary roof has now been installed, and a permanent roof will be in place once planning procedures are complete.

The video, published on Wednesday, February 4, said in captions: “The ferocity of Storm Eowyn severely damaged the leisure centre roof.

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Argyll and Bute Council Helensburgh Leisure Centre update

“The entire building had to be encased in scaffolding to safely assess the damage. Water damage inside the centre was extensive.

“The first floor gym and dance studios bore the brunt of the water damage.”

59 catcher tanks have been used to drain away water coming through the damaged roof of Helensburgh Leisure Centre. Argyll and Bute Council

It then shows several mushrooms growing out of a wooden beam on a wall in one of the rooms in the leisure centre.

The captions then added: “59 water tanks were used to drain away water coming through the damaged roof.

“All electrical and mechanical systems have had to be fully checked for damage. Flooring and plasterboard was removed to allow the drying out process to begin. The drying out has taken time.

Helensburgh Leisure Centre: Flooring and plasterboard has been removed. Argyll and Bute Council

“A temporary roof has been installed to allow repair work inside to begin. Work on installing the new, permanent roof will begin as soon as the necessary plans are agreed.

“We understand that much of the work may not be immediately visible and appreciate your continued patience and support during this important repair phase.”

The council’s statement, published at the same time as the video, added: “As previously advised, because of the recovery actions taken, we have carried out a range of detailed condition surveys, including an internal building condition survey and a mechanical and electrical condition survey. We are also in the process of undertaking fire assessment surveys and inspections of structural steel work.

Helensburgh Leisure Centre will not reopen by the end of March as initially hoped. Argyll and Bute Council

“We are reviewing the survey findings, and although we are making good progress, given the scale of repair needed to reopen safely, and the complexity of the issues which are arising, our original estimated re-opening of the end of March will not be met.

“We are currently addressing several complexities, including the re-design of the roof, the time required to install extensive scaffolding, and the lead time needed to procure materials. This has all contributed to the original provisional date being extended.

“At this stage, we cannot provide an alternative opening date as key survey and tendered work is still ongoing, but we are continuing to work with our insurer and contractors to do everything we can to re-open the centre as soon as possible.

“We will provide further information as soon as it is available.”