A CABINET member has slammed a lack of investment in Powys leisure centres amid questions over funding of the sites.
Machynlleth’s Bro Ddyfi leisure centre has been dumped from proposals for the rebuilt Ysgol Bro Hyddgen after spiralling inflation saw the cost rise from £48 million to £66 million.
Fears have been raised which would suck money from other school transformation projects, and Cllr Pete Roberts told a cabinet meeting on Tuesday that the council would instead seek funding for the leisure centre to be refurbished.
Conservative group leader Cllr Aled Davies asked whether the Welsh Government had been approached for more funding, to allow the campus to be built in phases.
Cllr Roberts said he was “not aware” of any approach to the Welsh Government to ask for more funding.
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Cllr Davies said: “I know the council is in financial straits at the moment, and I asked if there were any plans to mothball or downgrade the offer across our 13 leisure centres in Powys.”
Cllr Davies said that he had received assurances that this wouldn’t happen but asked for it to be confirmed.
Leisure portfolio holder Cllr David Selby said: “On leisure centres as a whole, Cllr Aled would be well aware of the underfunding they have experienced over the last five years.
“Just as we have a backlog of maintenance in other buildings, we have a backlog across the leisure centres portfolio.
“Something I would love to see resolved but it might not be possible immediately.
“I’m aware of the issues in Machynlleth leisure centre and we have a fully costed scheme to resolve those which will be considered alongside other capital programmes.
“Sadly no money has been spent on these buildings, for many a long year.”
Cllr Davies said: “It’s important to get the design right for a phased approach to try and encourage the Welsh Government to take a long-term view.”
Cllr Davies said that the new school would be “an asset for the next 50 years.”
“There is a danger that the town could end up with no leisure centre if we take the short-term view,” said Cllr Davies.
The updated condition survey for Bro Ddyfi Leisure Centre, carried out in spring 2022, says that £3.5million is required for maintenance of the centre over the next ten years.
Any major refurbishment is estimated to require around £6million.
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