New leisure centre plan for Llanelli coast

Carmarthenshire council said Llanelli Leisure Centre was in poor condition with maintenance costs rising

A new leisure centre may be built close to Llanelli's coastal path.

Carmarthenshire council and the Welsh government are funding a feasibility study into the development at the Old Castle Works site.

It was once earmarked for a new theatre and arts complex but that is now being built in the town centre.

The council says the existing leisure centre is in poor condition with maintenance costs rising and it would look for new uses for the site.

The proposal incorporates a leisure centre, sports academy, 10-pin bowling alley and indoor and outdoor adventure activities.

A master plan is being developed for the site by the Joint Venture - a partnership between the council and Welsh government.

It says the aim is to develop an attractive leisure and visitor destination for residents and also attract more visitors and tourists to the area.

Commercial partnership

Plans for the leisure and sports academy could include an eight lane pool with a separate diving pool, a large sports hall, gym, climbing wall and all-weather pitches.

A council spokesperson said: "The current leisure centre is in very poor condition and has increasing maintenance costs.

"The development would be phased as and when further funding, commercial or partnership interest became available."

The results of the feasibility study are expected later this year.

A bid for £18m in lottery funding for an arts complex on the site failed in 2007.