The new facility features a 25m main swimming pool and training pool, luxury health suite with steam room and sauna, a café and shop, fitness studios and a gym with views of the Clyde.

The centre, operated by liveArgyll, is fully accessible and includes a changing places facility, a floating moveable floor in the training pool and poolside pods for anyone with mobility issues to access the pool independently. As part of the project, the council installed new flood defences at the Waterfront.

Delivered by Argyll contractors Heron Bros, the project represents investment in Helensburgh of more than £22.3m and includes £5m awarded from the UK Government Libor Fund, administered by the Royal Navy and £100,000 from sportscotland.

“Delivering this legacy build has been a huge achievement despite the challenges of building in the midst of a global pandemic. The project has provided vital employment to contractors, and essential work experience for a range of trainee and graduate roles,” said councillor Gary Mulvaney, policy lead for finance and commercial services.

“We are delighted to see so many people making use of the new facilities and as we continue to transform the waterfront into an attractive and vibrant area, we look forward to creating opportunities for future generations to enjoy.”

Helensburgh Leisure Centre was officially opened by two times Olympic swimmer Ross Murdoch.