Materials for the permanent roof started to arrive on site last month. Argyll and Bute Council has expanded the current site compound to store these large materials but access to all four EV charging points will remain available throughout the works. The council has also relocated the recycling bins to just outside the access gate.

As previously advised, because of the recovery actions taken, the local authority has carried out a range of detailed condition surveys, including an internal Building Condition Survey and a Mechanical and Electrical Condition Survey. It is also in the process of undertaking fire assessment surveys and inspections of structural steel work. 

Argyll and Bute Council is reviewing the survey findings, and although it is making good progress, given the scale of repair needed to reopen safely, and the complexity of the issues which are arising, its original estimated re-opening of the end of March will not be met. 

The council said it is 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, an alternative opening date cannot be provided as key survey and tendered work is still ongoing, but the council is continuing to work with its insurer and contractors to do everything it can to re-open the centre as soon as possible.

The local authority said: “As we continue to progress work on the centre, we will provide updates monthly as a minimum. Our focus has to be on doing all needed to make the centre safe and fit for re-opening but we appreciate the interest that there is in the centre and so whenever circumstances allow or require we will also provide additional progress updates and photos.”