Welsh Conservative campaigner Tyler Chambers has welcomed Powys County Council's decision to invest £6 million in the county's leisure centres, describing it as a significant step forward for communities across Powys and a success for those who stood up to protect local facilities.

Earlier this year, Mr Chambers publicly called on Powys County Council and the Welsh Government to safeguard leisure centres across the county amid fears that provision could be reduced to just five core hubs, leaving many rural communities without local access to leisure facilities.

Following the Cabinet's decision at its July meeting to approve a £6 million investment programme, the immediate threat of closures has eased. However, the council has confirmed that its wider leisure review will continue over the coming years, with further engagement, consultation and long-term decisions still to come before the current Freedom Leisure contract expires in 2030.

Tyler Chambers said: "I welcome this investment. Leisure centres are at the heart of our communities. They help keep people active, improve mental and physical health, provide opportunities for young people and bring communities together.

"I want to thank every resident, community group and campaigner who supported my calls to protect Powys' leisure centres. This announcement shows just how important these facilities are to local people, and I genuinely believe that the strength of public feeling has helped ensure their voices have been heard.

"The £6 million investment is welcome and I am pleased the council has confirmed there are ‘no immediate plans to close any leisure centres’. That is good news for communities across Powys."

However, Chambers stressed that the campaign could not end here, warning that while the council has said there are "no immediate plans" to close leisure centres, that does not rule out future closure proposals as the wider leisure review continues.

He said: "While the announcement is encouraging, we cannot simply assume the future of our leisure centres has now been secured.

"The council has been careful with its wording. It says there are 'no immediate plans' to close leisure centres and that this is the position 'at this point in time'. Those are important words because they stop short of providing a long-term guarantee for every leisure centre in Powys.

"The wider leisure review is continuing, with further engagement, consultation and future decisions still to come. Until the council gives communities certainty about the long-term future of every leisure centre, our work is not finished.

"I will continue to campaign alongside residents to make sure these facilities are protected for future generations. We have made real progress, but we cannot become complacent. Now is the time to keep the pressure on and ensure this investment is followed by a long-term commitment to leisure provision right across Powys."

The Powys Conservatives added that they would continue urging Powys County Council and the Welsh Government to work together to ensure leisure services remain financially sustainable while recognising the challenges faced by rural communities, where travelling to alternative facilities is often neither practical nor affordable.