2007 reopening for leisure centre

The leisure centre closed in 2003 over safety fears

It will take almost three years to renovate and reopen Swansea's leisure centre, according to the city council.

Two weeks ago it was announced £25m would be spent to bring the building, which shut in November 2003 with a £14m repair bill, back into use.

Now council leader Chris Holley has said work is unlikely to be finished until December 2007.

But he said refurbishing the attraction would be quicker and cheaper than building a new one.

We need to recognise that a project of this scope cannot be completed overnight and nobody expects that it could be done Chris Holley

When he announced plans to reopen the centre - which was at one time the most popular visitor attraction in Wales - Mr Holley said he was reluctant to put a time scale on the scheme.

But figures in the upcoming budget show the authority has set aside £4.5m to kick-start its rebuild this year.

Another £5m will be spent next year, £15m in 2007/08 and a further £1m in 2008/09.

But speaking on Monday councillor Holley said: "The building work may be finished well in advance of the time scale discussed in the budget.

"The council has been advised that the programme to completely renovate the leisure centre can be achieved by December 2007.

"This would be much quicker and cheaper than the alternative option of going for new build on the same site or elsewhere.

"We also need to recognise that a project of this scope cannot be completed overnight and nobody expects that it could be done."

Money will be spent on the exterior of the building, while new facilities will be added. Further details are expected to be announced in May.

Mr Holley said the centre, which was opened by the Queen in 1977, would have a new life-span of 25 years.