THE ribbon was officially cut on Clydebank’s £24 million leisure centre this week as calls were made for it to be renamed to ensure its appeal extends beyond West Dunbartonshire.

The state-of-the-art Clydebank Leisure Centre, on the town’s waterfront, has pulled in more than 1,600 members since doors opened in March, and councillors, West Dunbartonshire Council, leisure officials and the firms involved in the build all gathered on Monday to see a plaque unveiled.

And some councillors have now asked the public for name suggestions for the building that might help it grow even further into a regional leisure destination.

Councillor Iain McLaren, immortalised as the man who unveiled the plague, said: “What makes this more than just a leisure centre is its location on the River Clyde.

“Bankies are fiercely proud of their history, and this building, which sits on the site of the former John Brown’s shipyard, takes inspiration from its shipbuilding heritage. I am delighted to declare the new Clydebank Leisure Centre officially opened.”

Former provost Douglas McAllister, who pushed the centre’s development as part of the last Labour administration, said there had previously been discussions about a site name that didn’t limit attraction to just Clydebank.

The Kilpatrick councillor, whose wife and teenage sons are members, said there had been suggestions of “The Yard” to mark the shipbuilding heritage. He pointed to the The Lagoon Lesiure Centre, in Paisley, as an example.

Cllr McAllister added: “This facility must be able to compete with all the leisure centres in Scotland. With a bit of imagination we could get a new title.”

The leisure centre replaced the Play Drome and is operated by West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust. It includes three swimming pools, changing facilities, a café, multi-purpose sports hall with badminton, netball, basketball, and five-a-side football courts and retractable seating, fitness suite, and group exercise studio. It also houses Scotland’s first interactive flume ride.

The first floor of the centre is made up of a unique interactive activity zone and fitness area for children. It provides state-of-the-art adaptable facilities for young people to encourage active lifestyles. The very latest technology, including wall and floor projectors, is used to create two large activity areas and two large party rooms.

Cllr Diane Docherty said: “We are very proud of what we have achieved with this wonderful new facility. I would like to congratulate and thank everyone who worked so hard over many years to bring this project to fruition.”

Iain Marley, CEO of project development partners Hub West Scotland, said: “Located on the site where the QE2 was launched, it is sure to become a future landmark.”