Neath Port Talbot councillors are being asked to approve a planned closure of Pontardawe Swimming Pool at the end of August this year on the grounds of public safety.
Encouraging people of all ages to adopt active lifestyles is one of the council’s aims, so Cabinet members will also be asked to approve a feasibility study into providing a replacement pool, currently estimated to cost between £10-12m.
Building experts ARUP identified significant structural weaknesses within the 50-year-old pool’s concrete structure in 2022 and advised the building had a maximum two year lifespan even with the substantial propping works that took place at the time.
However, in January this year, further deterioration of the reinforced concrete was noted and at their meeting on May 8th, 2024, members of Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet will be recommended to approve closure at the end of August 2024. Repairing the existing building is economically unviable, and the mechanical and electrical services throughout the facility have also reached end of life.
The feasibility study will look at potential external funding sources and examine any suitable locations and the future facility mix in Pontardawe for a replacement pool.
With the building’s condition continuing to decline, planned closure at the end of August 2024 will allow enough time to complete the summer programme, redeploy staff and relocate user groups wherever possible to other Celtic operated venues.
The planned August closure will also give time to make changes to the Neath Leisure Centre programme which will be able to accommodate the majority of the displaced users from Pontardawe Swimming Pool.
If approved discussions will take place with the affected groups together with the operators in neighbouring authorities with facilities that may be more local for the NPT residents.
With ongoing regular inspections, it is still possible an earlier, urgent closure might be needed and with public safety being paramount, this will be kept under close review during the course of the next few months.
