A multi-million pound development of a sport and community facilities in Swansea is due to complete by Autumn 2023 after the appointment of a local contractor.
Llanelli-based Morganstone has been appointed to deliver the £7m project at Cefn Hengoed Leisure Centre and Community School in Bon-y-maen.
The investment will mean a new sports barn on the site with indoor 3G pitch and fitness studio as well as a repurposed outdoor five-a-side pitch.
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The new development will also include a cafe and flexible spaces for use between the school, leisure centre and partners.
Other improvements will be made and the new layout will extend the opening hours of the leisure centre.
The project is being funded by Swansea Council and the Welsh Government, but has also received a £750,000 grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation with support from the Swansea City Foundation.
Further contributions were made by Sport Wales, plus Freedom Leisure which manages the leisure centre on behalf of the council.
Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism Robert Francis-Davies said: “We have a long standing commitment to improve sports facilities in this community but the project has hit a few bumps along the road, mainly around ground conditions at the site.
"We have used this time to further improve our plans and what is now going to be delivered is a state-of-the-art development that will benefit pupils, sports clubs and the wider community for many years to come.”
He added: "Sport is such an important part of so many peoples' lives so I'm really pleased work is about to get underway.
"Just last month we opened a new all-weather pitch at the Phoenix Centre in Townhill and in recent years we have funded or provided support towards all-weather pitches at Penyrheol, Morriston, Pentrehafod, Gowerton, Bishopston, the Elba Sports Complex in Gowerton, Dylan Thomas Community School and we are progressing plans for Olchfa.
"Swansea Council recognises sport has huge physical, mental health and general wellbeing benefits and that is why we do all we can to provide modern and accessible facilities for all."
Chief executive of the Football Foundation Robert Sullivan said: “This grant award to Cefn Hengoed Leisure Centre and Community School towards developing a new sports barn is great news for the local community.
"It will support people's ability to play our national game locally and therefore help unlock football's many benefits to physical and mental wellbeing."
Head of Swansea City AFC foundation Helen Elton said: “The east side of Swansea needs this facility, and we are delighted that work can start after some delays.
"We were always keen to be involved and bring Football Foundation funds into this project to help them meet their aim of 'helping transform communities where demand is greatest, and impact will be strongest'."
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