Council’s Ongoing Efforts to Close Leisure Centre Faces Opposition
Caerphilly County Borough Council is persisting in its efforts to permanently close Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre, despite facing legal challenges in the past. The High Court has twice overturned the council’s attempts to shut down the facility, with the most recent ruling in January 2025. A recent report has highlighted that the council is revisiting plans to close the leisure centre due to a significant maintenance backlog and the facility not meeting modern leisure standards as envisioned by the council.
Initially earmarked for closure in 2018 as part of the council’s Sport and Active Recreation Strategy for 2019 to 2029, Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre has been at the centre of a heated debate within the community. The council justifies its decision to close the centre by citing the need to consolidate services into fewer, more accessible facilities across the county borough, which would supposedly enhance the overall leisure service. Financial constraints also play a role, with the council operating on a £4.2 million budget while managing more leisure centres than any other Welsh local authority.
Despite the council’s reasoning, there has been strong opposition from the community against the closure of Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre and its 3G all-weather sports pitch. Legal challenges have ensued, with the High Court quashing the council’s initial closure decision in 2019 on equalities grounds. The centre briefly operated as a Covid-19 vaccine centre but did not fully reopen. Another attempt to close the facility in 2023 was quickly met with legal action. Last month, legal representatives confirmed that the council had conceded on one of the six grounds raised against it in the case.
Campaigners assert that Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre is a well-utilised facility that caters to the needs of the community. Prior to the pandemic, the centre saw nearly 80,000 visitors in a year, with a significant portion using the 3G pitch. Consultation responses reflected the community’s concerns, with almost three-quarters of respondents expressing that the closure would have a negative impact, citing a lack of alternative facilities and the inconvenience of accessing other sites.
On the other hand, the council highlights the substantial maintenance costs associated with the leisure centre, estimated at £476,000, as well as the need for a £280,000 replacement of the 3G pitch. The proposed Centre for Vulnerable Learners nearby is expected to offer similar facilities, including a smaller 3G pitch. The council also points out that there are seven other leisure sites within a ten-minute drive of Pontllanfraith, which it believes can operate more efficiently.
A council scrutiny committee is scheduled to review the new closure proposals on February 11. Concurrently, a public consultation is ongoing regarding the potential closure of three other leisure centres in Bedwas, Cefn Fforest, and New Tredegar. The fate of Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre remains uncertain as the council continues to navigate the complex challenges surrounding its closure decisions.
The ongoing saga underscores the delicate balance between community needs, financial constraints, and strategic planning in local leisure services. The significance of accessible and well-maintained leisure facilities cannot be understated, especially in fostering community well-being and promoting active lifestyles. As the council grapples with these complexities, the residents of Caerphilly County Borough await the outcome of these pivotal decisions that will shape the future of leisure services in the region.