A local county councillor and the Local Authority’s champion for ‘wellbeing and mental health’ has criticised Pembrokeshire County Council’s opening hours (or lack of them) for its own leisure facilities over the festive period - taking a swipe at PCC’s slogan - ‘more people, more active, more often’ - unless it’s Christmas, so it seems!

Cllr Rhys Jordan, who is County Councillor for the wards of St Mary Out Liberty (New Hedges) and St Florence, which sit on the outskirts of Tenby, has written to PCC’s leisure services manager Gary Nicholas to highlight his disappointment and raise concerns once again, at what he has labelled ‘severely reduced’ opening hours at leisure centres featuring gyms and swimming pools across the county during the festive period.

Cllr Jordan has drawn comparisons with Christmas opening hours of leisure centres run by Camarthenshire County Council, pointing towards the ‘Activ Sir Gar’ initiative, which he believes has operated far more ‘user-focused festive hours’ which he suggests Pembrokeshire Council could learn from.

The list of leisure centres run by PCC include - Tenby, Pembroke, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Fishguard and Crymych.

“It has been particularly disappointing to see all sites closed completely on the 24th and 31st of December, both of which are normal working days. Additionally, the limited operating hours of just five hours (8am to 1pm) from the 27th to the 30th have been a point of concern,” stated Cllr Jordan.

“While I fully appreciate that usage tends to decrease over the festive period, I feel the opening hours were too restricted.

“To draw a comparison, Activ Sir Gar has operated far more user-focused festive hours, which I believe we could learn from.

“For many residents, including myself, staying active is an integral part of daily life. After all, our leisure service's slogan is ‘more people, more active, more often’ - unless it’s Christmas, so it seems!

“The festive season can be an incredibly challenging time of year for many people.

“Staying active often plays a critical role in helping individuals manage both physical and mental health challenges during this period.

“It is also a time of indulgence, and many residents and visitors rely on access to gyms, pools, and other health facilities to offset seasonal excesses,” continued Cllr Jordan in his correspondence, which was also sent to PCC’s leader Jon Harvey; Cabinet Member for Residents' Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett; Head of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mike Cavanagh; and Director of Education at PCC, Steven Richards-Downes.

“I anticipate that you may rebut my comments by pointing to historic usage data over the Christmas period,” continued Cllr Jordan who is also Chair of Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the Local Authority.

“However, I strongly believe that festive opening hours should be reviewed on a year-by-year basis, particularly given the significant growth in usage our sites have experienced in 2024.

“Please take this feedback as constructive and consider it carefully when planning the festive opening hours for 2025.

“I am confident that a more balanced approach could better serve our communities,” he added.