Pontardawe pool still needs funding as leisure upgrades are planned

Pool designs have £250,000 committed, but construction money is unsecured. Gym improvements and padel courts are also proposed.

Ellie Williams · Fri 11 Sept, 18:43

Swansea Canal in Pontardawe, photographed in August 2014; locality context, not the leisure centre. Photo: Chris Andrews, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Geograph (geograph.org.uk/photo/4130334) and Wikimedia Commons.

Original photograph CC BY-SA 2.0

A new swimming pool for Pontardawe remains without construction funding under leisure plans announced by Neath Port Talbot Council on 9 September.

The council has committed £250,000 to pool designs. A £2.1m redevelopment proposal for Pontardawe Leisure Centre includes a new gym and fitness studios.

At Aberavon, £708,000 is allocated for a Pilates studio, a larger gym, recovery space and exercise equipment, with an autumn 2026 opening target.

Two padel courts in Neath need planning approval, with spring 2027 a possible completion date. Celtic Leisure intends to spend around £150,000 of its reserves on the Neath gym.

Gym improvements at Vale of Neath Leisure Centre in Glynneath remain early proposals.

Background and supporting figures

Where this sits

3 checked facts

Who can change it?
- Pontardawe swimming-pool construction has no secured funding, while £250,000 is committed to advancing designs. Design money is not a funded pool build.
  Neath Port Talbot Council
- Council plans announced on 9 September 2026 put leisure improvements across Neath Port Talbot above £3.3m, working with Celtic Leisure.
  Neath Port Talbot Council
- Gym improvements at Vale of Neath Leisure Centre in Glynneath remain early proposals.
  Neath Port Talbot Council

Every line above was checked against the source named beside it before this piece was published.

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