The regeneration project, led by Alliance Leisure through the UK Leisure Framework, sees swim facilities reintroduced to the leisure centre after previous facilities fell into a state of disrepair, leaving local residents without pool provision for a period of for years.
Speaking of the opening, Councillor Geraint Thomas, Leader, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council says: “It is absolutely fantastic to see swimming reintroduced at the leisure centre. Swimming is a life skill that should be accessible to everyone, especially children. It is great to see so many people enjoying the new facilities and to know that the decarbonisation works completed as part of the project have improved the energy efficiency and created a sustainable future for the building.”
Works have included the development of a new 25m, six-lane main pool, a dedicated teaching pool offering a full swimming education programme plus a new splash pool designed to inspire water confidence and deliver engaging sensory experiences for toddlers. The changing facilities have also been redesigned to improve the overall visitor experience. In addition, gas fuelled boilers have been replaced by more efficient air source heat pumps, a move that is expected to cut cardon emissions by 61 per cent.
The new facilities officially opened on
This project has been a truly collaborative effort. Working with partners through the UK Leisure Framework, which is owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Limited (DLL), including Universal Construction, Myrtha Pools, Savernake Property Consultants and architects, BGH, we were able to bring leisure specialism to every aspect of the project, maximising efficiencies and expertise to deliver an outcome that will serve the community for many years to come.
The leisure centre remained open throughout the build so people could continue to benefit from the sports hall, the fitness suite and the exercise studios. Councillor Geraint Thomas concludes:
Working with Alliance Leisure we achieved an amazing outcome. Swimming is now firmly back on the timetable and the community has a full complement of sport and leisure facilities to support a happy, healthy active life at all stages of their life journey. The sustainability works carried out also support the council’s net zero ambitions, creating a leisure centre that is fit for purpose both now and long into the future.