Major investments for Amman Valley Leisure Centre for the benefit of residents and local and regional sports teams, as part of a phased masterplan for the site, has been announced.

A plan to allocate £1.7m towards providing a new fenced, full size, floodlit, 3G all-weather pitch, along with enhanced athletics facilities has been approved by Carmarthenshire Council's Cabinet.

This follows the £600,000 spent on upgrading the internal areas of the leisure centre, including new wet-side changing facilities and air-handling systems.

Improvements to hard standing play areas and improvements to traffic flow for the site are also being worked up as part of the masterplan.

Positive discussions are ongoing with the FAW and other potential funding agencies to deliver this next phase.

The plans support the development work that is being carried out by the council’s Actif Sport and Leisure team, working closely with local clubs and community groups, as well as the emergence of popular new activities such as walking football.

Cllr Deian Harries, Plaid Cymru member for Ammanford said: "This is fantastic news for Ammanford town, the Amman Valley and surrounding villages.

Adding: "It’s brilliant that this is happening at such a difficult time financially and socially because of the Covid pandemic. The news is a bright light in a gloomy period."

Cabinet member for culture, sport and tourism Cllr Peter Hughes-Griffiths said: “More people than ever are aware of their health and wellbeing and are using indoor and outdoor recreational facilities to get active; it is important that we are able to provide them with modern facilities.

“We are committed to investing in Amman Valley Leisure Centre, we have already carried out major improvements inside, and we are now focusing on developing the outside facilities. I am delighted we are making this significant investment which will benefit our members and the local community.”

Ammanford is also set to get a huge digital boost. The council has said it will work to ensure that ultra-fast, ultra-reliable digital infrastructure and connectivity is available for the town to include full-fibre gigabit-capable broadband, 4G/5G mobile, and Internet of Things (IoT) innovation networks.

Cllr Colin Evans, Plaid Cymru member for Pontamman said: “I’m delighted with the content and direction of the Masterplan. It’s ambitious and imaginative, and very good news for Ammanford and the whole area.”

Cabinet member for culture, sport and tourism Cllr Peter Hughes-Griffiths added: “More people than ever are aware of their health and wellbeing and are using indoor and outdoor recreational facilities to get active; it is important that we are able to provide them with modern facilities.

“We are committed to investing in Amman Valley Leisure Centre, we have already carried out major improvements inside, and we are now focusing on developing the outside facilities. I am delighted we are making this significant investment which will benefit our members and the local community.”