**Construction Commences on £38 Million Leisure and Wellbeing Hub in Caerphilly**
Work has officially begun on a state-of-the-art leisure and wellbeing centre in Caerphilly, promising a transformative new facility for the local community. Located on previously unused land near Caerphilly Business Park and the railway station, this ambitious £38 million project is set to bring a wealth of amenities to the town as part of a broader placemaking regeneration strategy spanning Caerphilly through to 2035.
The impressive two-storey site will offer residents and visitors’ access to a wide range of modern facilities aimed at promoting healthy and active lifestyles. Among the headline features are a six-lane swimming pool—fitted with exciting water flumes—a specialist health suite, gym, and group cycle studio. In addition, two squash courts, a wellness suite equipped with power-assisted machines, and fully inclusive changing facilities will ensure the centre can support people from all walks of life.
Central to the new hub’s design is an ethos of accessibility and community engagement. A spacious adventure play area and a multi-level TAGactive Arena have been included to encourage families and young people to socialise and stay active. The site will also feature a dedicated social space, consultation rooms, studios for group classes, and a welcoming café, providing a vibrant hub for users of all ages.
Significantly, accessibility has been a key consideration. All areas within the building, including the swimming pool, will be fully accessible for those with varying mobility requirements. A Changing Places facility and a pool pod for assisted water entry and exit are among the measures taken to ensure the centre can be enjoyed by everyone in the community.
The leisure hub is largely funded by a £20 million grant secured through the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund—designed to reduce regional inequalities—while Caerphilly County Borough Council and several partners are providing the remaining investment through match funding and other contributions.
Project delivery is being overseen by Alliance Leisure, a specialist in creating community leisure facilities, and construction is contracted to Morgan Sindall. Julia Goddard, regional director at Alliance Leisure, shared her enthusiasm: “The Alliance team has collaborated closely with the council since 2022, and it’s exciting to see our plans finally coming to fruition. The centre has been designed to harness the latest technology, including an air-source heating system, to create an energy-efficient building that meets the evolving needs of Caerphilly’s residents.”
This partnership is further supported by architect Watson Batty and Hadron Consulting, guiding the project under the UK Leisure Framework, administered by Denbighshire Leisure Limited. The strategy around energy efficiency has driven the design of the swimming pool to a uniform depth of 1.1 metres, which the council states will help control running costs and allow greater flexibility in programming activities.
Councillor Chris Morgan praised the once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a purpose-built centre tailored to serve the diverse social, health, and wellbeing priorities of the town. “By engaging national leisure experts throughout every tier of the project, we’re working to ensure Caerphilly’s new hub becomes a standout facility, not just locally, but across the UK,” he said.
Beyond its obvious health and fitness benefits, the hub is also intended to act as a social engine—offering a focal point for residents of all ages, from children to grandparents, to pursue leisure activities under one roof. Notably, the socio-economic revitalisation linked to projects like these aligns directly with Caerphilly’s long-term regeneration vision, aiming to create a cohesive, thriving community over the next decade.
Construction is set to continue over the coming months, with the official opening anticipated in the near future. As development progresses, local authorities are keeping residents informed and engaged, emphasising how this substantial investment in public infrastructure is set to be a catalyst for lasting positive change in Caerphilly and its surrounding areas.