Work has started on a multi-million pound project to revamp some of Swansea’s most high-profile leisure facilities.
£5.1m is being invested by Swansea Council to bring new life and vitality to the LC Swansea and the city’s five community leisure centres.
The partnership approach will see a further £600,000 invested by Freedom Leisure, the not-for-profit leisure trust that runs the facilities for the council.
The overhaul and works programme, which will benefit tens of thousands of customers, is being managed by experienced project management business Clarkson Alliance.
Energy efficiency measures are being installed by Leisure Energy, an award-winning company dedicated to helping the leisure industry reduce costs and environmental impact.
Investments will include a full upgrade of gym facilities at the LC Swansea with the creation of a new functional training zone. In the autumn there will be a modern re-working of the food and drink offering.
The centres benefiting along with the city centre LC Swansea are those at Bishopston, Morriston, Cefn Hengoed, Penlan and Penyrheol. The improvements are being complemented by the introduction of high-spec Technogym equipment within renewed and refurbished fitness suites across the facilities.
Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “We welcome this work by Freedom Leisure on behalf of the council and people right across Swansea; this work is being undertaken as our new partnership begins to flourish.
“We made a £5.1m capital improvements pledge to our leisure centre customers and now we’re delivering on that.”
Jeremy Rowe, Freedom Leisure Regional Director, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the council to improve leisure locally across Swansea.
“We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to ensure plans for our £5.1m investment are the best they can be. Together with the council, we aim to support a happy, healthy community – enabling more people to be more active more often.
“Throughout this exciting improvement work we will keep customers updated. There will be some disruption as the upgrades are delivered but our centres will remain open – and members can use all six sites throughout the period of the works.
“A lot of the work has either started or is due to start in July. The LC Swansea gym refurbishment, for instance, is well underway and will be completed before the end of June. It will be showcased during a June 29-30 open weekend when the public can come to see and try the new facility at no cost!”
Julian Bullen, Project Director of Clarkson Alliance, said: “Our team are delighted to be leading the delivery of these exciting projects of behalf of Swansea Council and Freedom Leisure. They will be transformational for all users of the greatly improved facilities.”
Neil Bland, Managing Director of Leisure Energy, said: “It is great to work with forward-thinking people at Freedom Leisure and Swansea Council. This investment will make dramatic improvements in the customer areas and behind the scenes. It will save thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide.”
Bishopston customers are in line for an enhanced fitness experience, with new equipment in an extended gym, a new studio, dedicated changing pods for daytime visitors and new lighting. Work is due to start next month (note: July).
Morriston will see extensive improvements to its fitness facilities, with a newly located gym doubling in size, a new fitness studio, new spin bikes, an enhanced class timetable and improved pool changing rooms. Work is due to run from mid-July to the autumn. Solar panels and lighting upgrades are in place and new high-efficiency gas boilers are planned.
Penlan Leisure Centre is to get a redesigned gym, with new equipment, new fitness studios, a new spin studio and a new reception area with a Costa Coffee café.
Improvement work has started at Penyrheol Pool and will continue into the autumn. It includes redeveloped swimming changing rooms, new fitness equipment, improved and extended gym with new access, with changing and shower facilities accessible through the day. Solar thermal panels and lighting upgrades have already been completed with more energy-saving measures planned.
At Cefn Hengoed, the council, in partnership with the school, Freedom Leisure, the Football Foundation, Swansea City Community Trust and other partners, is working closely to secure match funding for an exciting multi-million pound scheme.
The scheme will be announced shortly and could see significant investment on and improvement to the existing leisure facilities, in addition to an exciting new indoor facility for sport that will benefit both the school and community.