Dumbarton residents have been assured the refurbishment of a popular sports venue plagued by delays is to be completed this summer.

Completion of a new gymnasium, changing facilities, an all-weather running track and parking spaces at Posties Park was expected last year - though the project originally had a completion date of 2019 - but West Dunbartonshire Council is still in discussion with Scottish Water, which wants to test the land.

A report presented to WDC's infrastructure, regeneration and economic development (IRED) committee confirmed that the project was 80 per cent completed and the final “remedial works” were under way. 

During the committee's meeting on Wednesday, February 1, Councillor Martin Rooney, the authority's leader, said: “I would like information on the development of Posties Park.

"The track is all done, it is just the building that seems to be taking longer to complete.

“Can we get an update on that?”

A council officer confirmed that they had hoped Scottish Water would complete their work by the end of January but the local authority is now expecting it to take place in the next four weeks. 

He said: “There is still the commission and testing period and the resurfacing of the road once all the pipe work is installed. By the time that is all complete and the building is operational – you will be talking early summertime.

“We don’t have a definitive date yet but that is the latest position we have now.”

In 2017 WDC approved funding of £1.7 million to pay for a purpose-built sports hub at the park, replacing the current athletic track with a new six-lane all-weather track as well as building the new gym and changing area.

However, two years later the Reporter revealed that the cost of the project – which was originally earmarked for completion in the summer of 2019 – had increased by at least £500,000.

In September 2019 the Public Contracts Scotland website stated that a contract had been awarded to Greenock-based firm W.H. Kirkwood with a minimum value of £2.2m – but that that figure could rise further, to almost £3m, once the project is complete.

At Wednesday's IRED meeting, Councillor Michelle McGinty, the authority's depute leader, added: “I would like to follow on from that and ask how late are we running [with the project] and what is the increased cost of that.

“Have we done anything else to mitigate the length of time this is going to take to be completed?”

Gail McFarlane, the council's roads and neighbourhoods officer, advised members that she would not be able to provide an updated figure until all the work had been completed. 

Ms McFarlane said: “We need to look at any other claims as well to ensure we have a full picture and understanding of what the final cost is going to be.

“After an appropriate point I am happy to provide a briefing on that.”