Sports clubs have had to urgently rearrange events after plaster and debris fell from the ceiling of a dilapidated sports centre.

Powys Council has said it aims to carry out repairs to Llanfair Caereinion Leisure Centre “as soon as practically possible”.

As the future of leisure centres in Powys remains unclear while the council carries out an in-depth review of their services, Llanfair Caereinion has had to temporarily close a sport hall because of the damage to the ceiling.

Groups such as the town’s walking football team had to postpone meetings due to plaster and debris falling from the sports hall ceiling. The team were able to resume their meetings and training sessions at a later date but hope to see repairs carried out soon.

Llanfair Walking Football member David Cribb said: “The ceiling has been an ongoing problem and the general facilities at the leisure centre are quite dated now.

“It feels like it’s time for some serious investment.”

OTHER NEWS:

A spokesperson for Powys County Council said: “The council can confirm that the sports hall at Llanfair Caereinion Leisure Centre is temporarily closed due to plaster falling from the ceiling.

County Times: Get a six month online subscription for just £6

“The council is assessing the ceiling to see what repairs are required. Once the assessment is complete, the council will appoint a contractor to carry out the repairs as soon as practically possible.”

The closure and needed repairs come ahead of Powys County Council’s impending decision on the future of leisure centre facilities in Powys, though the ongoing review will not affect the repairs at Llanfair Caereinion Leisure Centre’s sports hall which the council says will be carried out at a future date.

Get in touch

Share your views on this story by sending a letter to the editor. To get in touch email news@countytimes.co.uk, or fill in the form on this section of our website.

 

The in-depth review of Powys’ leisure centres began in June 2023, considering the provision, usage, running costs, carbon emissions and building conditions of the current offer, as well as other active leisure opportunities available to the people of Powys.

The review was launched after the council scrapped plans to temporarily close three leisure centres and three swimming pools in Powys, having proposed temporarily closing the facilities in December 2022 to counter rising energy costs and the cost-of-living crisis.

The proposals included the temporary closure of Llanfair Caereinion, Llanfyllin and Presteigne leisure centres and swimming pools at Llanidloes, Rhayader and Builth.

Powys Council eventually backed down from the proposition following public backlash, aiming to revise their plans regarding the long term sustainability of Powys leisure centres.