Located next to the sea, the facility in Helensburgh was unveiled to handle a range of environmental impacts.
Hosting a swimming pool and gym, the main contractors responsible for the project, Heron Bros Ltd, commissioned Walter Watson to create the structure of the large building. They created the framework using steel, but due to its seafront location, sought assistance from Scottish Galvanizers Ltd to ensure the components would be protected against rust and corrosion for years to come.
The steel was fabricated in sections – some of which were up to 11.6m long – before being sent to Scottish Galvanizers to be hot-dipped in its molten zinc galvanizing bath. As no other coating process has the ability to cover all areas of the steel and without the need for regular maintenance, galvanizing offers the greatest resistance to damage and corrosion – crucial to endure the sea air.
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Trevor Irvine, General Manager of the Structural Division at Walter Watson, said: "This was an extremely exciting project, and a facility we hope will be enjoyed by the local community for many years. To ensure this, we wanted to guarantee that the steel framework would be protected from the elements and called on our long-standing partners, Scottish Galvanizers, to assist.
"We've worked with them many times, and can always rely on Paul and his team in Glasgow. Despite the issues and delays the construction industry has faced over the past few years, they always deliver on time and to the highest of quality."
Paul Tait, Sales Manager at Scottish Galvanizers Ltd, added: "It's been a great pleasure to be involved and play a part in this project. We're sure the leisure centre will be enjoyed by many people within the local community for years to come – and, thanks to the galvanizing process, it's fit for purpose."
