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

Plaid Cymru’s deputy leader has quizzed the Welsh Government over the impact closing leisure facilities will have on the community.

Delyth Jewell, who represents South Wales East, raised concerns over leisure facilities closing in Caerphilly County Borough.

The MS referenced closure-threatened Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre during her speech in the Senedd on Tuesday January 9.

Questioning Labour’s deputy sports minister Dawn Bowden, Ms Jewell said: “Leisure centres provide benefits to communities that can’t only be measured in monetary terms. When they’re gone, people’s health and wellbeing will suffer hugely. 

“You’ll be aware, minister, that there’s a threat in my region to two leisure facilities: Pontllanfraith leisure centre and Risca hockey pitch are amongst the facilities at risk of closure. There is an active campaign in the area calling to save our leisure centre.

“What hope can be given to communities like Pontllanfraith, like Risca—indeed, across Wales—that their wellbeing won’t suffer?”

While Risca hockey pitch will be removed, leaving the hockey club without a home, it will be replaced by a 3G pitch allowing multiple sports such as rugby and football to be played on it.

In response, Ms Bowden, who represents the Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney constituency, stressed local authorities are in the best position to make decisions concerning leisure facilities.

She added: “There has been extensive consultation across the county borough, and I understand decisions are yet to be made about what that future provision is going to look like.

“The capital funding for grass-roots facilities still remains at £8 million a year, so there is still a significant amount of work that can be done with local organisations, through both Sport Wales and the FAW, particularly on the use of multisport pitches, 3G pitches that can be used for more than one sport.

“I am confident that there is still enough within the budget of Sport Wales to be able to significantly support those grassroots facilities in terms of capital projects that they need.”

Conservative MS Natasha Asghar, who also represents South Wales East, was critical of the Welsh Government, and argued it too has a responsibility to keep leisure centres running.

Ms Asghar said: “As I’m sure you can appreciate, leisure centres often offer residents an array of activities. People use them to stay fit, children often learn how to swim at leisure centres, and I know I was one of those as well.

“So, minister, I appreciate what you mentioned, that it’s councils’ responsibility, but as the Welsh Government, I know that ultimate guidance comes down from here.

“So, what guidance, what support and what acknowledgement are you going to be giving local councils to ensure that leisure centres can stay open, and ultimately thrive and survive as well?”

Ms Bowden reiterated decisions over leisure facilities are and should be made by the local authority.

Although the council is set to begin work on a new leisure centre in Caerphilly, the latest proposal set out in the council’s budget shows a recommended 20% hike on facility fees, meaning it will be more difficult for clubs and individuals to afford such services.