A historic lido in a Welsh town which was a recreational hub all the way back in the 1930s has taken a huge step forward in its bid to re-open to the public. Brynamman Lido has been closed for the past 12 years but efforts have recently been ramped up to bring it back to life.
It opened almost 90 years ago in 1934, and once provided entertainment and leisure activities for generations of families in Brynamman and the surrounding areas. Earlier this year, the project was awarded a £10,000 grant from the Architectural Heritage Fund to pay for a feasibility study to be carried out, with the hope that the lido could be up and running within the next two to three years.
It had been hoped that it would already be open by now, as the committee behind the project looked to secure funding in 2020 with the possibility of the attraction - including a café, hot tub area and shop - opening during the following summer. However, Covid-19 thrust most projects into a period of uncertainty. You can get the latest WalesOnline newsletters e-mailed to you directly for free by signing up here.
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Despite that setback, plans have now taken a big step forward with Carmarthenshire Council confirming that the management of the lido will be transferred over to Brynamman Lido Ltd under its asset transfer programme. This, it is hoped, will hasten the re-opening process and make grants more readily available. Earlier this year, Adam Hitchings, Wales development manager at the Architectural Heritage Fund, said: “We are impressed by the society’s ambition to restore this much-loved lido and make it a focal point for the community.”
After the asset transfer decision was approved by Carmarthenshire Council cabinet, councillor Gareth John said: “We are pleased to be working with the local group in Brynamman to transfer the management and maintenance of the lido to the community. The transfer of this asset will allow Brynamman Lido Ltd to apply for funding via grants that would not be available to the county council, and we will continue to work with them and provide support along the journey to re-opening the lido to the community.”
Meanwhile, the management of Canolfan Carwyn Sports Centre in Drefach has also been transferred away from the council - to the Baton Twirlers Association Cymru - via a lease agreement that will allow the public to continue to use the facilities at the centre. While the centre is now the official home of the twirlers group, its facilities are also available for the local community and sports groups to be used.
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