Welshpool bid to save Youth Centre

Cash-strapped Welshpool Town Council is lining up a bid to buy the former swimming baths building that houses the town’s Youth Centre after it went up for sale, but only if they can get the whole amount covered by grants.

Private developers are said to be eyeing the development for residential potential, but the town council has been given the opportunity to buy the building first.

But at last week’s full town council meeting, and after considerable discussion about the dire state of the authority’s finances, councillors cautiously made the first step towards taking on the building.

The costs were not shared, but Cllr Alison Davies, who has been dealing with the issue, said that a grant could be obtained to buy the building.

But Estelle Bleivas warned: “Do we have the money to maintain it, moving forward?”

To which Cllr Davies explained that there were tenants in the building and that their rent should cover the cost of maintaining the building and grounds.

After considerable debate about whether it was a project that they could afford to take on, councillors voted to take the initial steps to show interest in buying the building from Powys County Council, but they said it comes with the condition that it won’t cost the Town Council a penny and should be covered entirely by a grant.

The issue will not stop the proposed development of a new skate park for the town, which is being earmarked for the former tennis courts-now-car park located close by.

A report will be sent back to council on progress at a future meeting.