Carmarthenshire County Council joined by UK and Welsh Governments to celebrate the official opening of Canolfan Pentre Awel.
On 11 December, County Council’s Leader, Cllr Linda Evans was joined by Anna McMorrin MP, UK Government Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Wales, and Rebecca Evans MS, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Environment and Planning, to officially mark the opening of Canolfan Pentre Awel in Llanelli.
Although Canolfan Pentre Awel opened its doors to the public on the 15 October, today’s event marked the official celebration of the landmark project, recognising the successful partnership between the local Council and Welsh and UK Governments in delivering one of Wales’s most ambitious developments.
One of the largest regeneration schemes in south-west Wales, Canolfan Pentre Awel is phase one of the Swansea Bay City Deal project, which has been jointly funded by UK Government, Welsh Government and Carmarthenshire County Council. The funding provided from the Swansea Bay City Deal (UK and Welsh 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.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Leader, Cllr Linda Evans commented:
"Canolfan Pentre Awel is a shining example of what can be achieved through collaboration across all levels of government. This project is about improving lives, driving innovation and creating a healthier, more connected community for generations to come. Throughout the project, Canolfan Pentre Awel has helped support employment by creating 76 new entrant jobs, 62 apprenticeship opportunities and is projected to create 1,800 jobs and apprenticeship opportunities as the project develops."
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure Culture and Tourism, Cllr Hazel Evans added:
"We are immensely proud to welcome the UK and Welsh Governments to Llanelli today, so they can see firsthand the impact large investment can have on local people. It is great to see the public already taking advantage of the new and improved facility."
Wales Office Minister Anna McMorrin said:
"This is a brilliant facility and a great example of how UK Government funding, through the Swansea Bay City Deal, is contributing to economic growth and the creation of good well-paid jobs throughout Wales."
"Canolfan Pentre Awel provides world-class facilities for businesses working in life sciences and health and wellbeing and builds on a sector that is already strong in Wales."
"And the local community will also benefit from the great leisure facilities that are available for them."
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said:
"Canolfan Pentre Awel is a once-in-a-generation development for Llanelli and Carmarthenshire. The first of its kind in Wales, it brings together healthcare, research, education, business innovation, leisure, and assisted living on one integrated site, creating a vibrant hub."
"Over the coming years it will create nearly 2,000 jobs, drive life sciences innovation, and inject hundreds of millions into the regional economy – making the area a beacon for health and wellbeing.
It’s a shining example of a public, private, and third sector partnership delivering for communities."
For more information about Canolfan Pentre Awel, please visit the website: Pentre Awel