The City of Cardiff Council has today underlined its commitment to the delivery of new community and leisure services in the Splott area of the city.
Community interest and support for a new Hub at Splott Park serving the STAR area remains high and was reaffirmed when draft ideas went on public display in March.
The Council is committed to delivering a new multi-million pound facility on the site that will include a 25m swimming pool, a gym and fitness suite, a new library, multi-use community/leisure rooms, advice and training rooms and a community café.
Cabinet Member for Community Development, Co-operatives and Social Enterprise, Cllr Peter Bradbury said: “The STAR Hub is very good news for residents in the area and shows the Council’s commitment to investing in our communities by providing joined-up services to our customers in their own neighbourhood.
“There has been a high level of community support for a new Hub at Splott Park and people in the area have made it very clear to us that they wish to retain a swimming pool there. We will make the best use of the resources available to us to deliver a facility that meets the community’s needs in the most cost effective way.”
“The Council will have to find budget savings of up to £45.4m next year as a result of escalating cost pressures and reduced funding, on top of the £48m of savings from the last budget round, so in progressing this project we had to ensure the City Council was achieving the best value for money.”
The new building will be energy-efficient and fully accessible, ensuring that it is both customer-friendly and cost-effective to run.
Work is expected to start on the project in Spring 2015 with a 12-month construction programme. Preparatory work will begin in August. Not until the STAR Hub is opened will the existing STAR Centre close and the site redeveloped for new housing.
