Images of the new Neath Leisure centre have been released this week ahead of the grand opening of the building on January 30, 2023. Once open, the town centre building will feature a six-lane, 25m swimming pool with associated learner pool, two group exercise studios, a 100-station gym, a health suite, retail floorspace, child care facilities, a café and a modern library.
The new library, which will be opening on February 1, will have 30,000 books, 16 public computers, Wi-Fi throughout, as well as a dedicated children’s library, family history research area and local studies collection, with two meeting rooms and self-service kiosks.
Funded by Neath Port Talbot Council, the multi-million pound development has been built by contractor Kier, and is designed to have a beneficial impact on the town centre, increasing sustainability, and footfall and providing a major boost for health and wellbeing.
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With the arrival of the new leisure centre, library, and commercial units, it is hoped the improved public space can attract more than 200,000 visitors to the town each year.
Council leader Steve Hunt said: "It will also drive the recovery of the town centre post Covid- 19, increasing vibrancy and visitor numbers in the centre of Neath, helping the delivery of a commercially viable redevelopment at a time of uncertainty for Britain’s traditional town centres.
"The leisure centre, library, gym and retail space will bring new activities and investment into Neath’s town centre. It will strengthen the town’s commercial core and will help more people lead a healthy lifestyle while improving well-being facilities for the town and surrounding areas. This development will attract many thousands of additional people into the heart of the town centre, including many families, every week and we look forward to welcoming them."
Cllr Martyn Peters added: "I am sure many other local authorities across the UK will be looking at this development to see how it can help town centres recover after Covid and as the shift towards buying on-line continues.
"The idea is to radically change footfall figures in the town centre, to give a new dynamic by bringing in students and those looking to exercise and relax in what is a really spectacular attraction for Neath." You can read more of our stories from Neath Port Talbot here, or subscribe to our newsletter here.
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