Study on leisure centre closure

All three boilers, the air conditioning and electrics all need repairing

Campaigners fighting to keep Swansea Leisure Centre open are finding out the reasons why it was shut.

The leisure centre - which was once one of Wales' most-visited attractions - closed permanently last month after a building survey revealed it would need repairs costing £14m to keep it open for another five years.

The full engineer's report into the building, which was released on Tuesday, says its three boilers need replacing, as does the air conditioning system and all the electrics.

Swansea council wants to build a £35m arts and conference complex on the site, but last week protesters handed in a 2,000-signature petition calling for the leisure facility to be kept open.

The leisure centre offered cutting-edge technology when it was opened by the Queen in 1977, during her Silver Jubilee year.

The wave machine in the swimming pool made the venue one of the most popular visitor attractions in Wales - more than 22 million people have passed through the turnstiles.

By-election challenge

But the high demand on the facility appears to have taken a toll on the building.

The leisure centre has been empty since last month, and many of the groups which used the site have been moved to other venues around the city.

Talks have taken place with the city's 1,000 strong indoor bowls community to find players a new permanent home.

But protesters opposed to the closure are not going quietly.

They are contesting a by-election for a seat on the council to keep up their campaign.

The Cockett council seat became vacant in October following the death of council presiding officer Vic Alexander.

The by-election will take place on 22 January.

The council has already placed advertisements for a private sector backer for a scheme to build a new arts and conference complex on the site.

The shopping list of facilities it wants to see in a new centre include a concert hall which can seat up to 3,000, and enough hotel rooms to cater for a conference centre they also want on the site.