Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre, which has been threatened with closure, could partially reopen next week.

Responding to a question put forward by Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge in a full council meeting, the cabinet member for leisure services, Cllr Ross Whiting said the leisure centre would be “fully reopened as soon as it is safe to do so”.

The outdoor 3G pitch at the leisure centre reopened when the firebreak lockdown ended earlier this month.

Cllr Whiting said it’s the council’s intention to partially reopen Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre from Monday (November 23), although this will depend on the coronavirus risk and Welsh Government guidance.

Cllr Whiting said the decision to permanently close the leisure facility “remains deferred as we consider new options for the future of the site”.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Etheridge said: “Further options will be considered and there will be wider consultation before any decision on Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre, which is to be welcomed.

“I just hope the public will be engaged effectively on these matters and listened to.”

The cabinet member also revealed that a court case on the council’s sport and active recreation strategy had racked up £65,000 in legal fees.

The High Court case forced the council to halt the closure of the leisure centre, which was included in the recreation strategy.

Cllr Whiting said the Lord Chancellor had accepted liability for the council’s costs in the court of appeal case.

He said: “Whilst 100% cost recovery is almost never achieved in practice, we do expect to recover a substantial proportion of this figure.

“The amount of money it has cost the council to defend this case is regrettable.”