Construction contractor Bouygues UK, in partnership with Buckingham Pools, has built two multi-purpose pools at Llanelli’s Pentre Awel. The pools offer world-class leisure facilities for the local community.
The innovative, multi-million-pound development, being delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council, houses a centrepiece 25-metre competition pool, featuring a full Ardex proprietary waterproof render and screed system, topped with a tanking membrane, accompanied by a smaller learner pool
The world-class Olympic Aquatics Centre in Saint-Denis, Paris project was developed by Bouygues Bâtiment Ile-de-France and Bouygues Travaux Publics, subsidiaries of Bouygues Construction and, due to the close similarity to the frame structure, advanced filtration systems and construction process for the Pentre Awel pools, Bouygues UK took lessons from the Paris build to enhance the quality of the multi-use pools in Llanelli.
The Pentre Awel development’s main pool has eight lanes, along with top-edge markings and a designated non-swimmer area. It is designed with a double overflow channel system, which separates pool water from poolside water with tiled sectional pieces. It will also boast a state-of-the-art timing system, a large 4K display screen, and the latest assisted access equipment from PoolPod, ensuring accessibility for all users.
Adjacent to the main pool is the learner pool, designed to mirror the width of the competition pool. It will serve as an ideal space for swimming lessons for both juniors and adults. The learner pool features the same high-quality design finishes as the main pool, ensuring the look of the facility remains consistent.
Pentre Awel project manager Peter Sharpe, from Bouygues UK, said:
“These pools offer the local community a fantastic facility. Working collaboratively alongside Buckingham Pools means the community of Carmarthenshire County will have a world-class leisure centre on its doorstep. The project team visited the Paris Olympic pool, a similar project, to ensure that we incorporated best practices, precise detailing and strong specifications, with a focus on delivering a competitive pool in a challenging environment.”
Richard Sharman, Contracts Manager at Buckingham Pools added:
“Being appointed by Bouygues UK, a leader in the construction industry, reflects the trust in Buckingham Pools’ quality and reliability. Bouygues UK is renowned for its commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability—values that align closely with our own. The Pentre Awel project is more than just a construction initiative; it represents a vision of community wellness and engagement.
With two swimming pools, each featuring high design specifications and different usage requirements, the project demanded meticulous attention to detail and time management. One of the main challenges has been adhering to the tight construction programme and adverse weather conditions have significantly impacted other trades, causing a domino effect on our work schedule. However, despite these obstacles, we have adapted and maintained progress through careful planning and flexibility.”
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, Cllr Hazel Evans commented:
“The new leisure facilities at Pentre Awel will significantly improve user experience, providing them with high quality swimming pools, that suit those who are learning to swim, or those who may be more experienced. These improvements have been made with the community in mind, and the Council is proud they can deliver on something that will positively impact local communities”.
The innovative, multi-million-pound Pentre Awel development will bring together life science and business innovation, community healthcare and modern leisure facilities at the 83-acre Delta Lakes site on the Llanelli coastline. It is part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal (£40million) and is the largest regeneration scheme in south west Wales.
I hope the Leisure Centre in Llanelli will still be open when Pentre Awel is up and running .It is in the middle of town – very convenient for locals .
Jennifer Williams I think you will be disappointed and the current leisure center will be closed. I have continually asked about accessibility ie. bus services etc but have only received vague answers.
Roger James I seem to remember Sean Rees mentioning a circular route which will stop at pentre awel. The convenience of our current leisure centre will be a great loss. I’m guessing prime location site has already been sold off…a rumour around Welsh medium school, but I’ve not seen anything official 😔
IF the Cyngor Sir Gâr – Carmarthenshire County Council are true to their commitment and also that of Welsh Government about reducing pollution caused by private car usage the public transport service needs to run when & where it’s needed and not at times and locations that just suit First Cymru so they can continue making profit with no thought to the communities and users as they do at present. You only have to look at the amount of cars parked at the Hive Gym near Sandy Water park to realize that the present bus service is totally inadequate. The idea of the Pentre Awel project is about promoting better health & well being for the people of east Carmathenshire and my opinion is that they will fail miserably unless they make it accessible to ALL members of the community . 😠
Jan Bou Yes Jan work has taken place with council officers to develop a brand new circular bus service which will access the Pentre Awel development.
The proposed new route will link Pentre Awel to the Town Centre, Parc Trostre and Prince Philip Hospital and it is expected to start once Phase 1 of Pentre Awel has been completed.
Sean Rees great news the location is perfect too on the coastal path. Nice continuous routes built to easily get there walking, cycling or on a scooter. 🙌🙌 can’t wait 😊
Simon Phillips Sounds good in principal but the practical side needs more work. For example; at present there is no safe controlled crossing point of the B4304 to get from the cycle track/coastal path which makes it less user friendly for people who want to use that method for getting there. I know they have built a 300 space car park and charging points for E-Cars but I have continually asked for charging points for E- Bikes but have yet to be confirmed they will be available ?
Roger James sounds like you like to find the positives 😂😂😂 good luck to you and your campaigns
Sean Rees So that means that people from places like Kidwelly, Pembrey & Burry Port will have to catch two buses !!!! The X11 service stops running at 1830 for the return journey in the evening so that means anyone who wants to use the leisure center after that time such as young people who might want to play 5 a-side football are going to have rely on parents with cars? Elderly and disabled people will be restricted if they have to wait around LLanelli bus station for a connection ! Hardly conducive to making it available to everyone in the area. I’m sorry but there has not been enough joined up thinking and planning into providing great public transport links . I have been to site meetings when members of the council are there and whenever public transport is mentioned they cannot give definite answers. One question is are the buses going to run at times when people want to use them. IE, Early in the morning or later in the evening until the leisure center closes?
Simon Phillips I have been involved with project as a community ambassador for a long time and as such have been supportive of the whole project and have campaigned for all the points I have raised in my posts on this page.
Sian James