Neath Port Talbot Council has confirmed it has held talks with Pro14 rugby union club Ospreys, along with other Welsh sports organisations such as Glamorgan County Cricket Club, over the potential development of a new multi-sport hub.
Ospreys currently have a tenancy at Liberty Stadium (pictured), the 21,000-seat venue that is also home to Swansea City and has been operated by the Championship football club since February 2018. Ospreys’ lease deal at the stadium has another 37 years to run, but the club only drew an average of 7,283 fans for its regular season Pro14 games last campaign.
Along with Ospreys and Glamorgan, which currently plays at the Sophia Gardens ground in Cardiff, Neath Port Talbot Council told the BBC that it has also held talks with Welsh Netball and Welsh Gymnastics over a development in the Llandarcy area which would form a sports hub for south West Wales.
A Neath Port Talbot council spokesman said: “The Council can confirm it is in discussion with Ospreys, Glamorgan County Cricket Club, Welsh Netball, Welsh Gymnastics and Neath Port Talbot College. While this is potentially a very exciting development, there is much detailed work yet to do.”
TheStadiumBusiness understands that a new stadium is very much on the agenda at Ospreys and the Wales Online website said the proposals being discussed centre on a more intimate venue with a capacity of between 10,000 and 12,000.
Ospreys told the BBC that while they continue to explore options, there are no immediate plans to move from the Liberty Stadium. A club statement read: “Like any ambitious, forward-thinking rugby region we’re always looking to upgrade and improve our facilities and fan experience. But we’re very happy with our training base at Llandarcy and the brilliant relationship we share with Swansea City FC and the Liberty Stadium.
“Right now, the focus is very much on the new season and how we engage new fans to fill those empty seats at the Liberty Stadium. As the only Welsh region in Europe this season we are excited and committed to the challenge of filling our home at the Liberty.”
Image: Ospreys
