The First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan MS, visited Canolfan Pentre Awel on Friday 6 February to see first-hand the progress and impact of Carmarthenshire’s latest development.
During the visit, the First Minister was given a tour of the new facilities and met with Carmarthenshire County Council’s Leader, Cllr Linda Evans and Cabinet Member, Cllr Hazel Evans. Canolfan Pentre Awel is a key part of Carmarthenshire County Council’s long-term vision to support health, wellbeing, learning and economic regeneration through innovative, community-focused spaces.
The visit highlighted how Canolfan Pentre Awel is bringing together health, education, leisure, business and community services under one roof, creating new opportunities and lasting impact for the local community.
First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, said:
"Creating good jobs and opportunities for people across Wales is one of my top priorities, and Pentre Awel demonstrates what can be achieved when we work together to invest in our communities. This project will create nearly 2,000 jobs over its lifetime, driving innovation in life sciences and boosting the regional economy while helping people gain the skills, confidence and pathways into employment they need to thrive.
"The Welsh Government's investment as part of the £40 million Swansea Bay City Deal contribution to this project reflects our strong commitment to regional economic growth. I am especially proud that 75 per cent of construction spending has been invested here in Wales, supporting local businesses. Pentre Awel is already making a real difference to the people of Llanelli and I look forward to seeing the future phases deliver even more opportunities for people in the area.”
Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, Cllr Linda Evans said:
"The First Minister’s visit to Canolfan Pentre Awel was a unique opportunity to demonstrate what can be achieved through collaboration and shared ambition between dedicated stakeholders and partners. This project is about improving lives, driving innovation and creating a more connected, healthier Carmarthenshire for generations to come.
"I was pleased to show the First Minister what we have achieved to date and share our longer-term ambition to attract local start-ups and national businesses to call Canolfan their home and share the Pentre Awel ethos of living well."
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, Cllr Hazel Evans added:
"Canolfan Pentre Awel is bringing together the private, public and third sector under one roof to provide an eco-system and real-world test bed to support future generations to live and age well through it unique offer of front-line community health and wellbeing service delivery and aligned research, innovation and training. Canolfan is the first step on our journey to achieve our wider ambition for the Pentre Awel project. I thank the First Minister for her visit to Llanelli to see this landmark development for herself."
Future phases of the Pentre Awel project includes a nursing home, assisted care and living complex, 4-star hotel and open market housing.
Canolfan Pentre Awel is phase one of the Swansea Bay City Deal project, which has been jointly funded by Welsh Government, UK Government, and Carmarthenshire County Council. The funding provided from the Swansea Bay City Deal (Welsh and UK Governments) is £40 million. Canolfan Pentre Awel is a joint project, led by Carmarthenshire County Council in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board, Swansea University, Cardiff University, University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Coleg Sir Gâr.