An exciting new community sports hub under construction in Pontllanfraith is on track to open this summer, as a decision is made to permanently close the adjacent Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre.
Caerphilly county borough council’s Cabinet met this week to formally agree the closure of the aging leisure centre, which has been closed to the public for the past 5 years.
Alternative sport and leisure facilities are currently being built on land next to the site as part of a £14 million development called Y Cwmpawd. The new development will be a Centre for Vulnerable Learners and will also boasts a 4-court multi-purpose sports hall, changing facilities and a small 3G pitch available for community use outside of school hours.
Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre closed its doors in March 2020 and the building was used as a mass vaccination centre throughout the pandemic. The leisure centre has not re-opened since and most former users have relocated to other facilities in the surrounding area.
Cllr Chris Morgan, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Leisure Services said, “We have made significant investment in new sport and leisure facilities over recent years – including the new Y Cwmpawd site – with more planned for the future. This is helping to deliver modern, fit for purpose sports facilities across the whole county borough in line with our agreed Sport and Active Recreation Strategy.”
“We appreciate that some people will be disappointed about the closure, but we are focusing our resources on delivering modern, fit-for-purpose facilities that will benefit our communities for many years to come,” he added.
Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre is now nearly 50 years old and has a significant maintenance backlog estimated at £736k. The existing 3G football pitch is also at the end of its lifespan and the cost to replace the facility is estimated at approximately £280k.
The use of the existing 3G pitch adjacent to Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre will cease once the new 3G pitch at the Y Cwmpawd site is open for community use this Summer.
