Construction work has begun on a £10million spa and leisure centre at Portavadie on Loch Fyne, which will create 17 new full-time jobs.
It will also secure a further 10 full-time jobs, which are currently seasonal posts, as well as making a significant wider contribution to the local economy.
Work on the new facility, which includes a biomass energy centre and improvements to the site infrastructure, is being carried out by Ashleigh Building of Prestwick and is due to be completed for next summer.
Portavadie’s general manager, Iain Jurgensen, said the development would reinforce the aspiration of the Bulloch family, Portavadie`s investors, as one of the top visitor destinations in the country.
He said: “This state-of-the-art new spa and leisure centre will be a major addition to our facilities and one we hope will prove very popular – not just with our existing customers, including the local community, but also with the many thousands of potential new customers in Scotland and beyond.”
The complex will include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, spa facilities, a gym, a studio, a café and multi-purpose function spaces with views across the marina.
VisitScotland chairman, Dr Mike Cantlay said: “Portavadie is already a first-class attraction, offering an excellent visitor experience, the highest standards of facilities and service, and a wide range of things to do.
“I’m delighted to hear that significant investment is being made to further enhance the site by creating a spa and leisure centre and create new jobs.
“This is an important development for the local economy and for the tourism industry in Argyll.”