Angus councillors are disappointed a troubled “monstrosity” remains standing at a popular beauty spot in the height of the tourist season.
They have also expressed frustration about a lack of toilets in the area and are “perplexed” work has not begun to install them in Forfar Loch Country Park.
There is also confusion over the type of toilets now proposed for the area, with the local authority suggesting a PAMIS facility for those with complex care needs are included in plans.
The doors at the Lochside Leisure Centre closed in February 2017 with sports facilities incorporated in the town’s new multi-million-pound community campus.
Since then the “eyesore” has stood empty, becoming a magnet last year for youngsters gathering in groups up to 30-strong to drink and cause havoc.
In March, Colin Brown, Independent councillor for Forfar and District, urged the local authority to demolish the building as matter of urgency to avoid “devastating consequences”.
Hopes were raised in May when members of the council’s policy and resources committee paved the way for the £500,000 demolition, with a council officer predicting demolition work would begin “as soon as it is approved.”
At the same time, councillors gave the go-ahead for £40,000 to be spent from the Forfar common good fund for new toilets next to the ranger centre adjacent to the old leisure centre.
Mr Brown and SNP councillor Lynne Devine have expressed concern work to raze the building has still not begun.
However, they have urged the work be delayed until the end of the summer season, given the proximity of the Lochside Caravan Park.
Mr Brown, depute provost of Angus, said: “On May 1 the decision was made to bulldoze the leisure centre.
“The last thing I want is the leisure centre being knocked down when the caravanners and the children’s park are in full swing.
“The window of opportunity has gone.
“I am disappointed this work wasn’t carried out when they said it would be.
“The weather is glorious, we have had hundreds of visitors and it is an eyesore.
“I still maintain the building should have been demolished when the leisure centre closed 17 months ago.
“I am bitterly disappointed people are still having to look at this monstrosity.
Ms Devine was also of the understanding demolition work would begin following the May 1 meeting.
She said: “My understanding was, as soon as it was agreed, work would begin, although in all fairness I don’t think it would be a brilliant idea to do it now when there are lots of caravans.”
A spokesman for Angus Council explained, after the recommendations were agreed on May 1, it was “requested the demolition was not undertaken during the height of the summer season.”
He added: “It has been scheduled for this autumn.”
As for toilet facilities, he stated plans and proposals for a PAMIS toilet area are “ongoing”.
In response to the lack of toilet provision, Ms Devine said she was “perplexed” it has taken so long.
She said: “They are a vital service. I am really annoyed it has taken this long.
“I didn’t know anything about a PAMIS toilet. I did enquire about costs which would be really be quite high.
“I was under the impression they were going for one ordinary toilet and one disabled toilet and had hoped they would be there by now.”
