ABERYSTWYTH’S new £1.2 million bandstand has nearly been completed with just a “few small issues to be resolved” before it is handed over to the council - nearly eight months after the original planned opening date.

Ceredigion council officers held meetings with contractors W B Griffiths & Sons Ltd of Haverfordwest yesterday, the council said, as preparations for the official handover and opening of the new building are arranged.

Site barriers have been removed around the new building after completion of the external paving works, leaving the site clear of construction materials for the first time since January last year.

Initially due to be opened in August last year to take advantage of the summer season, a combination of bad weather and “contractor difficulties” has seen the date continually pushed back.

The project has been beset by problems, leading to several missed deadlines.

It was reported in the Cambrian News in January that, just days after contractors had hoped to finish construction, a window at the rear of the new bandstand became open and water could be seen rushing in during Storm Frank.

Ceredigion council said at the turn of the year that construction had not been completed and predicted the structure would be finished in February, after missing previous deadlines in August, October and December.

A firm deadline of the bandstand being completed by Friday, 4 March was also missed.

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