New Flash pitch will cost £600k

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

Replacing the much maligned pitch at The Flash Leisure Centre will cost up to a whopping £600,000 this autumn, it has been revealed.

The pitch has been out of action for nearly a year following extensive flooding last year and a survey showed that a quick fix wouldn’t solve the issues.

But the council says that it has now pencilled in a £600,000 budget to fix the pitch for the long-term, part of a number of improvements at leisure centres across the county that will cost over £2.5 million and expected to be approved by the full council.

Replacing the outdoor pitch at Lladniloes will cost a further £450,000, while another £40,000 will be spent on resurfacing The Flash Car Park.

Portfolio holder for culture which includes leisure service, Cllr Rachel Powell, said: “The investment in our leisure centres will be hugely beneficial especially with the current situation.

“Young people and children in time will go back to school and hopefully use these resources. It demonstrates that there have been opportunities during this crisis when previously they would have been delayed by the usage.”

Major work on building schemes, including technical design work on the new school building for Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng (Welshpool), has also been approved.

The final approvals will be made by the full council.

Leisure Centre refurbishment schemes:

·      Llanidloes Sports Centre £450,000 – replacement outdoor sports pitch.

·      Flash Leisure Centre, Welshpool – £500,000 to £600,000 to replace of outdoor sports pitch –and £40,000 for car park resurfacing

·      Maldwyn Leisure Centre, Newtown – £100,000 to replace lights for outdoor pitch and athletics track and  £52,000 for car park resurfacing

·      Brecon Leisure Centre Swimming Pool – £950,000 for work on swimming pool  and £45,000 for replacement air handling unit

·      Bro Ddyfi Leisure Centre (Machynlleth) £180,000 to replace the roof.

·      Knighton Sports Centre -£25,000 for flooring

·      £25,000 on light replacement at Maldwyn and Bro Dyfi Leisure Centres

·      Builth Wells Sports Centre –  £65, 000 for fitness equipment.