Campbeltown’s museum and leisure centre require work to bring them up to the highest standard, an audit has discovered.
LiveArgyll inspectors have graded the town museum, and Aqualibrium Leisure Centre, as ‘amber’, with a review identifying a broken and boarded window at the leisure centre.
The inspections – carried out on Tuesday September 26, 2023 – also found that some of the museum’s exhibits are not fully accessible to wheelchair users.
However, the report also hailed the cleanliness of the buildings, along with other positive aspects of their appearance and smartly turned-out staff.
The report went before Argyll and Bute Council’s audit and scrutiny committee at its meeting on Tuesday December 19, 2023.
The reports both said: “The audit tests are predominantly observational so any issues highlighted are based on what was witnessed on the visit day.
“Due to the limiting nature of this as audit evidence we do not include recommendations in this report.
“Rather it provides an overview of issues identified allowing the LiveArgyll management team to determine whether any corrective action is required.
“To ensure consistency of approach, the issues raised do not take account of any planned structural work in the short to medium term.
“For example, if we identify superficial structural damage we will still report it even if we are aware the establishment is due to be refurbished.
“Our overall opinion for this establishment visit is amber. This means that whilst we have identified issues, we are not of the view that they post an immediate risk to service delivery.
“However, management should consider how best to address the issues within a reasonable timescale.”
The report adds that an amber grade means that “issues identified can be managed through a programme of works”.
An assessment of aspects of the museum remarked: “[A] build-up of moss on exterior wall may lead to dampness.
“Moss [is] also accumulating on ramp access to rear of building that may pose a slip hazard.
“Audio equipment and exhibits in cabinet on rear wall are not fully accessible to wheelchair users due to narrow access between displays.”
However, it also said: “Flooring throughout was clean, tidy and free of any obstacles and clutter. The nature of the exhibits meant that there were some items at floor level below display units, there is a lot to display in a relatively small area.
“The floor plan allows easy access for visitors to walk around, however this would be challenging for wheelchairs users, in particular access to the audio equipment and exhibits on the end wall would not be easy.”
On Aqualibrium Leisure Centre, the inspectors said: “A large section of the exterior of the building appears to be discoloured. Skirting in first-floor changing area is missing leaving unsightly glue residue in its place.
“One window was broken and boarded in the library area. Some of the chairs in the conference room were in need of cleaning, mostly due to age-related staining.”
It added: “The SportsMax shop was clean, tidy and well stocked. There were no cracked, chipped or loose tiles or drain covers and all fixtures were firmly in place.
“Pool chairs were in good condition and lifesaving equipment easily accessible. The changing village was clean and tidy throughout with no damaged tiles or fittings and drains were clear.”