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Now, the Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr Steve Hunt, has unveiled a plaque to mark the development of the transformational Neath Leisure Centre, Library and Retail Complex.

It offers a 25m pool, learner pool, a 100-station gym, steam room, health suite, modern library and other facilities right in the heart of Neath.

And the retail section has also attracted the popular Cadno Lounge bar/restaurant and home, leisure and garden superstore The Range with a deli and coffee shop, a jewellery shop/boutique and a children’s soft play attraction signed up and coming soon.

Town centre footfall has increased since the complex was built and as for the new leisure centre, the Celtic Leisure team confirm that, compared to the old Dyfed Road building, memberships have increased 100% and overall participation rates have doubled.

Cllr Hunt said at the unveiling on Friday, May 2nd, 2025 : “Although our fantastic new Leisure Centre and Library have been in use for a while, an ‘official opening’ was never held. Given the positive difference it has made to Neath’s town centre and the wider county borough, I was keen to mark the opening and see a plaque installed to recognise the key partners involved.

“The ‘vision’ was clear from the very start – this was based around providing a multi-use complex in the heart of Neath which would breathe new life into the town centre, bring people in (both residents and visitors), complement and stimulate new and existing businesses, attract further investment and to promote wellbeing and create new places for people to meet and socialise.” 

Among the visitors to the ceremony were representatives of main contractors for the project, Kier Construction, consultants Faithful and Gould, Neath Port Talbot Council members and officers including Chief Executive Frances O’Brien, Neath MS and Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, Neath Town Council Mayor Cllr Paul James and representatives of businesses established in the complex’s retail section.

The project has been part funded by the Welsh Government through its Transforming Towns initiative which aims to help town centres across Wales survive the huge rise in online shopping and a change in the way we use our town centres.

Welsh Government Minister for Climate Change, Julie James MS, said: “We want town and city centres across Wales to be the beating heart of Welsh communities, where people can access services, shops, communal and cultural spaces. 

“Through our Transforming Towns programme, we are providing millions of pounds to further support the economic and social recovery of our town and city centres. 

“Our Town Centre First policy, embedded in Wales’ national development plan Future Wales, means that town and city centre sites should be the first consideration for all decisions on the location of workplaces and services.”