Llanelli Leisure Centre re-opens

Carmarthenshire County Council has re-opened Llanelli Leisure Centre after it was returned to the local authority earlier this month.

Work has been underway to bring back Llanelli and Carmarthen Leisure Centres to their original venues following them being converted to temporary field hospitals earlier this year.

Llanelli’s fitness and swimming facilities opens today but will only be available to customers who live in the area of Llanelli defined as a health protection zone for the time being – customers living outside this area will not currently be allowed to use facilities, until the restrictions are lifted.

People living outside these areas are able to attend other council run centres in Amman Valley, Newcastle Emlyn and St Clears and Llandovery Swimming Pool.

Carmarthen’s astroturf and outdoor revamped tennis courts have also opened today.

Further indoor facilities at Carmarthen Leisure Centre will re-open in the coming weeks as building works are completed.

New measures have been put in place to ensure visitors and staff are safe whilst using the centres, and not all facilities or activities will be available.

Swim, gym, fitness pod and class programmes must be pre-booked through the Actif Sport and Leisure website or app, and sessions will be limited.

Customers should expect to observe social distancing, follow one-way systems, use sanitisation stations and to wipe down kit after use.  Water fountains and vending will not be available.

People will be asked to arrive ‘ready to go’ wearing kits or swimming costumes under clothes.

Changing rooms and showers will not be available for gym and class customers, and swim customers will be allocated a changing space but will not be able to use lockers or showers.

Specific details will be communicated directly to members and further information will be communicated via Actif Sport and Leisure website, The Actif App and social media platforms.

Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths, the council’s Executive Board Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: Our members and local residents will be pleased to see these leisure centres brought back into use. We want to assure the public that the extra precautions we have introduced are to help limit the transmission of the virus and keep our communities safe as they engage in exercise in our facilities. The safety of our customers and staff is paramount so please ensure you behave responsibly, consider others around and follow staff instruction when visiting. We want you to enjoy your visit and help you to protect yourself and others.”

Sport facilities at Ysgol Penrhos are now open, and Coedcae school in Llanelli will also re-open at a later date to be announced, however due to new local restrictions for the Llanelli area these facilities can only be accessed by people living within the health protection zone.