Issue - meetings

Members received a verbal update.

The Head of Leisure, Tourism, Heritage and Culture provided a verbal update on the Pontardawe Swimming Pool feasibility study. Following the closure of Pontardawe Swimming Pool on health and safety grounds, Austin Smith Lord Consultants were appointed following a procurement exercise, to identify potential sites for a new pool. The consultants are architect led and have worked on numerous projects within the UK, with many sports based projects in the local and surrounding areas. The feasibility study aims to prepare for future funding rounds, as currently no funding is available. The feasibility specification asked the consultants to look at four potential sites, including the existing swimming pool site, the leisure centre site, a town centre site and other potential sites in the Swansea Valley area. The consultants are conducting assessments on each site to identify a potential favoured option through a scoring mechanism. The leisure centre site is identified as a potential strong option, but this may change. The final report is expected by the end of April.

The Chair requested that the final report is brought to scrutiny, when available. Members asked for clarification on public consultation.

The Head of Service confirmed that public consultation has not been included in the current feasibility study but will be considered at a later stage.

Members expressed concerns about the cost of identifying a site, which has previously been identified.

The Head of Service commented that it was important to keep an open mind when considering any future potential site.

Members asked for clarification on Celtic Leisure’s involvement. Members assumed that since re-contracting, that Celtic Leisure would take over management of any future pool and therefore would need to be involved in communications. For ease of management and oversight, members suggested that the Leisure Centre site would be the most appropriate.

The Head of Service confirmed that Celtic Leisure has been involved in meetings and has provided useful data for the feasibility study, including staff structures and running costs. The costs of running a standalone site would be more expensive.  The decision on who would manage a new pool would be made at a later point should this come to fruition.

Members expressed concerns about the oversight and management of finances if £30,000 is spent to identify a site.

The Chair reiterated the request to keep members fully updated on the matter.

Members noted the verbal update.