WORK has started on a £500,000 ‘changing village’ for Neyland, on the site of the town’s former swimming pool.

The modern facility, estimated for completion next spring, will feature four large en suite changing rooms, an officials’ changing room, a first aid room, spectator toilets and a new fitness facility and gym.

It will provide a changing space for football and rugby players using the neighbouring Athletic Club.

Despite delays caused by electricity and gas connection problems, the building is scheduled to open in June next year.

County councillor for Neyland West, Paul Miller, said the development was the first part of a two-stage plan to regenerate the Athletic Club complex.

“I've never been more optimistic about our chance of completing the Neyland Athletic Club campus,” he said.

“And if we do, Neyland will have the best sport and community recreation facilities in the county. I'm determined that we will get there!”

Before building work began, the building had been boarded up for almost three years.

“It was well past its best,” said Cllr Simon Hancock, county councillor for Neyland East, adding that he was “delighted” to see work on the site get underway.

“I made a manifesto commitment in 2012 to the Athletic Club complex and since then have been working hard to drive things forward,” said Cllr Miller.

He praised Pembrokeshire County Council’s investment in the project, and said the next stage was working to replace the ageing Neyland Athletic Club facility.

“I think the stage is set nicely for phase two and I'll be engaging with the wider community to take this project forward in the first few months of the new year,” said Cllr Miller.

As part of the planning for phase two of the development, Neyland Athletic Club has recently adopted a new constitution.

The club will now been run by a board of five directors and elections to the board are to be held on Monday, January 6, at 7.45pm, at Neyland Athletic Club.

This meeting is a public meeting and is open to non-members.