LEISURE centres in Aberystwyth and Cardigan could remain closed for up to 18 months, leaving the future of some staff at risk, a letter seen by the Cambrian News has revealed.

Ysgol Penweddig and Plascrug Leisure Centre (pictured) in Aberystwyth and Cardigan Leisure Centre were converted into field hospitals in April for Covid-19 patients if there was a need.

None of the sites have been used thus far and, in July, Ysgol Penweddig was handed back to Ceredigion County Council in preparation for the academic year.

However, in a letter sent to employees, Ceredigion County Council has revealed Plascrug Leisure Centre and Cardigan Leisure Centre will be occupied by the NHS for the next 12 to 18 months.

Arrangements have been made to make use of both Penglais School Sports Hall and Cardigan Swimming Pool buildings, to allow the council to offer a leisure service in both the north and south of the county.

The letter states a report was presented to Gold Command on 31 July, “proposing that a full review of all posts within the leisure service staffing structure needed to be undertaken”.

Gold Command, made up of council officers with executive powers, signed over at the outset of the pandemic, have conducted a review of all staffing at leisure facilities in the county.

However, they will not, at this point in time, consider the exact number of staff needed for Plascrug Leisure Centre or Cardigan Leisure Centre; except for in Cardigan swimming pool which will reopen.

According to Ceredigion council, there is no scope to reopen the swimming pool at Plascrug ‘due to the layout of the pool and changing facilities.’

The letter states: “[The council] will consider all possible means to avoiding redundancies. However the possibility is that due to lack of income, the service is not able to financially sustain the current staffing structure.”

A spokesperson for the council said: “The council has have worked closely with the health board to ensure that a facility is available to respond to this pandemic, if demand exceeds that of the local hospital.

“Plascrug Leisure Centre will remain as a field hospital for as long as required in order to support the health board.

“Due to the layout of Plascrug and the location of the swimming pool/changing facilities, the pool will remain closed.

“Swimming lessons will not be offered in local authority swimming pools during the autumn term. We will be reviewing the restart dates for schools swim/swimming lessons later on in the year in accordance with Welsh Government guidance at that time.”

The spokesperson added: “We are working closely with all staff and trade unions, to ensure staff will be given every opportunity to apply for redeployment or secondments into other posts.

“These opportunities may only be short-term, until the service is in a position to re-open all its facilities.”