15.6.23

Plans for an upgrade of Cardiff's Pentwyn Leisure Centre have been revealed by Cardiff Council.

The scheme would see the centre benefit from:

• A new 20m x 8m pool, heated by a ground source heat pump.
• A new cafeteria.
• A new fitness gym on the ground floor.
• A new full-sized 3G pitch and mini pitch.
• A refurbished family-changing facility.
• A new hall and external space which could be leased to a third partner - potentially to create an area for padel tennis on site.
• Roof mounted solar panels.

Cardiff Council's Cabinet will consider the proposals in a report on Thursday, June 22. If agreed it is expected work on site could begin as soon as autumn this year, with some works, including pitches, the fitness centre and changing rooms, completed in early 2024.

Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke-Davies, said: "I'm delighted we can bring these plans forward now.Cost pressures being felt across the construction industry and rising energy bills have delayed our desire to upgrade the facility, but the Council has always been committed to the project.

"Our initial plans for Pentwyn have had to be reworked in the light of those increases, but importantly we believe we have found a way forward which will not only see Pentwyn Leisure Centre benefit from a big refurbishment, but which will also ensure that swimming will remain an option at the centre.

"Leisure centres with swimming pools have been hit especially hard with soaring energy costs with many closing around the country, but the pool we are proposing, which will be heated by a ground source heat pump, provides a workable compromise. The pool will be primed for teaching children to swim, but will also provide for casual swimming."

The new proposals would see a modernised centre remain within the GLL contract, with GLL - anot-for-profit organisation -running the community facilities and part of the building rented out to Cardiff Rugby to use exclusively. If approved, the new proposals would enter final design and planning phase before work begins.

Before that the proposals will be scrutinised by the council's Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, June 20.  A live stream of will be available to view here from 4.30pm on the day Agenda for Economy & Culture Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, 20th June, 2023, 4.30 pm : Cardiff Council (moderngov.co.uk)

The proposals will then go to Cabinet for approval on the afternoon of Thursday, June 22. A live stream of that meeting will be available to view here Agenda for Cabinet on Thursday, 22nd June, 2023, 2.00 pm : Cardiff Council (moderngov.co.uk) from 2pm on the day.