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Caerphilly is set to get a new leisure centre after a £20 million application to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund was successful.

It is among 11 projects from across Wales to be granted a share of the £2.1 billion fund. In total, Wales will get £208m, according to the UK Government.

The new leisure centre, which is to be built near Caerphilly Business Park, is estimated to cost £33.6 million and will replace the exiting leisure centre at Virginia Park. It will include a new gym and swimming pool. 

According to the council leader, Cllr Sean Morgan, the project will need to be delivered by March 2025, in-line with the UK Government’s expectations.

At a cabinet meeting on June 29, 2022, Rhian Kyte, Head of Regeneration and Planning, said the chosen location was at the centre of the plans for the leisure centre.

Ms Kyte added the leisure centre would be close to Lansbury Park and close to the train station – making it easier for those in the Rhymney Valley to reach.

The council made a total of three bids – totalling £80m – including one for an Alpine Coaster in Cwmcarn Forest and another for the redevelopment of Caerphilly railway station and the bus interchange – but only the leisure centre bid was approved.

The council had the opportunity to submit one bid for each parliamentary constituency – Caerphilly and Islwyn – and one further transport bid.

Councillors are due to visit the site later today.

Other projects in Wales include include cycle paths in North Wales and a Cardiff Crossrail project connecting the city centre to Cardiff Bay.

Announcing the funding the UK Government’s Welsh secretary David Davies MP said: “I’m delighted to see so many successful bids from around the country for schemes which will have an impact for generations to come.   

“This funding will regenerate town centres and historic buildings, create new cycle and walking paths through some of our most beautiful countryside, improve facilities for visitors, deliver transport solutions for Cardiff and contribute to the health and future job opportunities for people in the areas involved.  

“I am very much looking forward to following the progress of these projects as they help us achieve our ambitions of levelling up the UK and growing the Welsh economy.” 

This was a second round of funding. Caerphilly County Borough Council missed out on the first in October 2021, but the UK Government has confirmed a third round of funding.