The multi-million-pound investment includes a new leisure centre and swimming pool, improved flood defences for the town, new outdoor public meeting spaces, new landscaping and car and coach parking.

Argyll and Bute Council appointed Heron Bros Ltd to start work in August 2020. The development is on budget and on course to open in 2022.

Councillor Gary Mulvaney, policy lead, financial services and major projects, said: “Topping out the Waterfront Development marks a significant milestone as this fantastic build really starts to take shape. The new state of the art leisure facility will bring multiple benefits to the local community and is already supporting local economic recovery from the impact of the pandemic.

“Building a development on this scale has created local employment opportunities for tradespeople and site workers, apprenticeships and education programmes for young people, and sponsorship for local community groups and organisations.

“We are committed to ongoing investment for our town centres, making them vibrant places for communities and to help attract new residents, businesses and visitors to the area. We look forward to the next stage of the development taking shape.”

The main swimming and training pools are complete and internal works are progressing. They include:

• Installing underfloor heating on the ground floor
• Mechanical and electrical works throughout the building including to the changing village, fitness studios, sauna and steam room
• Installing a new lift

Cathal Heron, regional director for Heron Bros, added: “Heron Bros. is extremely pleased with the progress made to date. It is an exciting time as we ‘top out’ this leading leisure facility with Argyll and Bute Council.

“The celebration represents a high point not only for the project build, but it is also testament to the entire project team, who have worked so effectively, diligently, and safely together in making such impressive progress.

“Projects of this scale leave behind a legacy that goes beyond the physical construction and our team is proud to contribute to the transformation of Helensburgh’s waterfront.”

The leisure centre and swimming pool is designed to be fully inclusive and includes:

• A changing places facility
• A moveable studio pool floor making it easier for all swimming abilities
• Pool pod access facilities to enable wheelchair users and anyone with mobility issues to independently access the pool.

The total investment cost of the Helensburgh Waterfront Development is £22,367,314 and includes £5 million awarded from the UK Government Libor Fund.