'Lido will not be replaced in the next two years'

1st March 2010

THE Afan Lido will not be rebuilt for at least two years, a council finance chief has admitted. Derek Davies, finance director for Neath Port Talbot told the Post that it could take as long as four years to replace the fire- ravaged centre.

However, he confirmed the council was committed to rebuilding the indoor water park.

Mr Davies, who was speaking about the council's 2010 budget said: "It's bound to be a couple of years by the time we go through consultation and procure contractors.

"We will also be looking at what it would be replaced with, and what people want there."

Cash to rebuild the Afan Lido would be taken from Neath Port Talbot's capital budget.

However, the expenditure has not been built in yet.

The report, which will be scrutinised by cabinet members tomorrow, will go before full council for approval on Wednesday.

Mr Davies said, in the budget report: "Following the fire at the Afan Lido on December 16, 2009, work is ongoing to develop a new provision on the seafront for public consultation later in 2010.

"The capital programme will be update in due course for the development." The council has had to make savings of £7.3 million to bring spending in line with their budget of £251,654,000.

Celtic Leisure, which manages the borough's leisure centres, is also facing a £25,000 reduction in subsidies over the next 12 months.

The fire at the Afan Lido is believed to have started in the lower electrical plant room before taking hold of the Aquadome theme pool's Inca Temple feature and spreading to the roof. The remains will be demolished.

Neath Port Talbot Council had been waiting for a full structural assessment to confirm whether the main building can be salvaged or if it will have to be razed and rebuilt.

Now the authority says the whole of the pool complex, including the reception, gym and ballroom areas, will need to come down.

Earlier this month, chief executive Steve Phillips said: "A structural assessment has been carried out on the Afan Lido complex by independent structural engineers.

"This has confirmed very severe damage has resulted from the fire to the building fabric and primary structure of the pool hall.

"The report advises that extensive demolition is necessary and officers will be recommending a way forward to the council once financial and technical appraisals for demolition have been completed."

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