Last week it was revealed that West Dunbartonshire Council has put forward a planning application for the proposed four-floor waterfront facility which will replace the existing Play Drome and boast a 25 metre pool, sports hall and fitness suite.

It is also thought the centre will be designed to maximize the features of the old John Brown’s shipyard site and include spectacular views across the River Clyde from full height windows of the second floor fitness suite.

Council leader Martin Rooney has welcomed the news and said he expects the development will help regenerate the area.

He told the Post: “I am delighted that the project is now at the planning stage. This is a strategic investment for the council and it will drive forward improvements at the Clydebank waterfront.

“We promised Clydebank residents that we will build a new leisure centre by June 2016 and we are well on target to do so.” Under previous plans, construction of the new leisure centre was linked to the sale of the Play Drome site to Tesco and it was hoped that the £15m generated from that deal could be used to establish a new building at Queens Quay.

However, despite the supermarket giant pulling out of the sale, councillors last year opted to push forward with the plans by dipping into the recently approved ten-year capital plan.

Speaking following the decision, Councillor David McBride, said: “I am delighted that the council has taken the decision to release the funding, allowing us to deliver on our ambition to build a new leisure centre and contribute to the regeneration of the Queens Quay site. This is great news for the future of Clydebank and the people of West Dunbartonshire, and another example of how this council is getting on with business despite the tough economic times.” In June the Post revealed how plans to transform Queens Quay into a thriving hub of activity had given the nod.

The bold £15m regeneration proposals will see hundreds of new homes constructed at the scenic waterfront site along with a number of other facilities including a possible health centre, a hotel and a pub.

Clydebank’s new multi-million pound care home is also expected to form part of the plans while an area has also been earmarked as a suggested location for a new store.