The new-look Tenby Leisure Centre is starting to take shape.

A £1.5 million centre upgrade is due to be finished in the spring of next year.

The development will include a brand new fitness suite and cafe, a Fit for Life library, a fully-refurbished sports hall and dance studio, upgraded changing rooms and a new open-plan reception and foyer area.

The project is the final part of a 10-year £20 million investment programme into leisure facilities by Pembrokeshire County Council.

However, the building work will result in some disruption to users in the run up to Christmas.

POOL CLOSURE

In particular, the swimming pool will have to be closed from November 23 until December 27.

Clr. Elwyn Morse, cabinet member for culture, sport and leisure, apologised for any difficulties caused by the temporary closure.

“This will be an inconvenience to local pool users in the short-term, and we are sorry for this,” he said.

“However, it is necessary to ensure the safety of our customers at this stage of the building works.”

He added: “When the work is completed, the centre will be a huge asset to Tenby and a great resource for local users.”

The new manager at Tenby, Darren Bowen, also apologised for any inconvenience.

“We will need to close the pool during this period to allow building work to be carried out as quickly as possible and without risk to our customers,” said Darren.

He added that parents and other pool users who had booked swimming lessons during the closure period were being notified personally by letter and advised of alternative arrangements.

Chris Payne, leisure services manager, said the major refurbishment project at Tenby would add to the council’s network of quality leisure facilities across the county.

“We look forward to working with even more people in the community to encourage them to take up physical activity, which in turn will help them to improve their overall health and well-being.”

The new developments and refurbishments are anticipated to be completed by spring 2016.

The building project has been designed by Pembrokeshire County Council’s in-house team of architects, with building work carried out by local contractors W. J. G. Evans.

Anyone affected by the disruption and wanting more information can ’phone (01834) 843575.