18th December 2009

Re: AFAN LIDO FIRE

Statement: Customer Enquiry Lines - Membership and General Enquiries

Dedicated Customer Enquiry Lines have been set up to respond to Afan Lido General and Membership Enquiries.

The Membership Enquires line will deal with all Afan Lido Membership matters including how Afan Lido Members can gain access to another CCL Health & Fitness Facility. In addition this number will manage calls relating to current membership matters, direct debit queries and the sale of new memberships.

The General Enquires Line will deal with Casual/Club bookings, Swimming Lessons and Pitch Permits.

For Membership Enquiries call 01639 646520
For all General Enquiries call 01792 830111

For up to date information on all CCL Facilities and Services please visit the web site on www.celticleisure.org

18th December 2009

Statement:
Duncan Kerr, Managing Director, Celtic Community Leisure

"We have met our staff working at the Afan Lido. We would like to compliment and congratualte them for the exemplary way they handled the evacuation process because of the fire.

We appreciate their concerns, particularly during this time. However we have reassured all the affected staff that they will be paid as normal over the Christmas period. They will then be relocated to other Celtic Community Leisure sites within Neath Port Talbot.

Further talks will take place in the new year so that staff will be kept well informed of developments.

I would like to thank Neath Port Talbot Council for their support throughout this difficult time"

17th December 2009

Statement re: AFAN LIDO FIRE

Council staff have been working alongside emergency services following the fire which devastated the Afan Lido Leisure complex on Aberafan seafront last night.

An emergency meeting has been called for later this morning to discuss the implications of the blaze. We are still in the early stages of the incident and will await the outcome of the investigation before being able to make any firm plans for the building's future.

Tywyn Primary School in Channel View has been closed in order to help keep the area around the Afan Lido clear to aid the investigation and recovery process.

Cllr Ali Thomas, Leader of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council said; "I would liek to pay tribute to the staff at the Afan Lido for their prompt, well rehearsed actions last night which meant that there were no injuries.

"I would also like to thank the local residents for their calmness and co-operation with our officers and emergency services during the incident. Local businesses also showed great citizenship, in particular the Apollo Cinema, who provided teas, coffee and hot dogs free of charge to the emergency services."