**Former Council Kitchen Set to Become New Community Gym in Rhymney**
A disused council-owned site in Rhymney, Caerphilly county, is set for a new lease of life after plans were approved to convert the building into a community gym. The facility, situated close to the St Clare’s sheltered housing complex, had stood largely unused for over 15 years after previously serving as a meals-on-wheels kitchen. Its only function since 2008 had been as a storage area.
The new gym will be operated by JM Fitness, a community interest company, following a successful application for a community asset transfer from Caerphilly council. The group, which is committed to social enterprise, will now take charge of the premises and embark on creating a welcoming space designed to benefit residents of all ages in Rhymney.
Speaking about the initiative, JM Fitness representative Kim Dufty highlighted the importance of an inclusive and supportive atmosphere for their members. Dufty explained that the new gym promises not just exercise opportunities, but also a meeting place where local people can connect and forge new friendships. “We want the gym to provide a non-judgemental and inclusive environment, somewhere people can meet and make friends, regardless of age or circumstance,” said Dufty.
This development comes at a time when Caerphilly council is grappling with what it describes as “significant financial challenges”. As local authorities across Wales search for ways to manage tightened budgets, the transfer and sale of underused assets have emerged as a potential route to savings. In this context, passing the Rhymney site into community hands is seen as a way to reduce council costs while creating social value.
At a recent cabinet meeting, the council’s deputy leader, Jamie Pritchard, described the new gym as one of several pilot projects arising from the authority’s strategy to support community asset transfers—a policy adopted in 2024. The aim is to enable local organisations to take over properties that the council no longer needs, especially where such assets can deliver health and wellbeing benefits to local people.
JM Fitness had been searching for a new home after learning that their previous location was earmarked for redevelopment. Determined not to lose their connection with members, they canvassed opinions about what the gym meant to its regulars. The responses, Dufty noted, were both moving and revealing: from teenagers expressing how the gym had boosted their self-esteem, to a 76-year-old who credited the facility as an essential part of maintaining good health.
Unanimous backing for the asset transfer was secured from all Cabinet members. In addition, the council agreed to fund approximately £42,000 in essential safety upgrades to ensure the premises are suitable for public use as a gym. This underscores the council’s commitment, not only to cost-saving, but also to creating safer, healthier spaces within the community.
Council leader Sean Morgan praised the spirit of local collaboration, commenting, “It’s fantastic to see the community coming together and taking action for the benefit of local people. Supporting projects like this helps to foster resilience and wellbeing across Caerphilly.”
As preparations begin at the former meals-on-wheels kitchen, residents in Rhymney can look forward to a new addition to the town that promises to combine fitness opportunities with a sense of community. The initiative not only transforms a previously underused facility, but also serves as a model for how local authorities and social enterprises can join forces to repurpose public assets in challenging times.