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Exciting plans to transform the iconic Pontypridd YMCA building into a state-of-the-art culture and community hub have been revealed after £4.25m was raised towards the £6m development.

The Arts Council of Wales has today announced it will contribute £2.25m to the project, alongside a £2m Welsh Government pledge through its Vibrant and Viable Places Programme operated through Rhondda Cynon Taf council.

The striking design, subject to planning permission, has been created by the architect of the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay, Jonathan Adams.

He will work alongside a project team led by Artis Community and Pontypridd YMCA.

The plans include a gym and fitness suite, youth club room, recording studio, reception area, five meeting spaces, two dance studios, digital media suite and office spaces.

What the YMCA will look like

A new café will also open on the Taff Street side of the development, along with three shop units available to local businesses.

Meanwhile, Shelley Hall – once a thriving venue for live music and entertainment – will be refurbished.

Today’s announcement comes weeks after the council became the outright owner of former Taff Vale Precinct site, at land opposite the Taff Street side of the YMCA buildings.

However, the remaining £1.7m required for the YMCA development still needs to be sought. It is hoped the sum can be raised through applications to trusts and foundations, as well as an appeal for donations.

Kath Davies, director of investment and funding services on behalf of the Arts Council of Wales, said: “We are pleased to have been able to support this ambitious project through our Capital Programme.

“Ponty YM will significantly contribute to the sustainability and long-term resilience of the area and support the capacity to deliver great art and culture to the local community and beyond.

“This project will also champion the opportunity for young people to achieve their creative potential.”

Minister for communities and tackling poverty Lesley Griffiths added: “These exciting plans for Pontypridd YMCA are set to transform this iconic building and regenerate the local area.

“I am very pleased the Welsh Government has been able to support this project with £2m of funding. The centre will act as a creative, social and educational hub at the very heart of the community.”

The building opened in September 1910, when working-class townspeople united to bring the YMCA to life.

At the time, restricted funds meant the building could not be completed in full, and plans for two storeys of the construction and facilities were abandoned.

More than a century later it remains in popular use, but time has taken its toll on the building and its facilities.

The project was first mooted publicly in June 2014, as the Welsh Government announced plans to plough £5.98m into seven schemes in the town as part of the Vibrant and Viable Places Framework.

Pontyridd's Taff Street precinct then and now

Councillor Robert Bevan, RCT council’s cabinet member for economic development and planning, said: “The council’s success in securing funding through Vibrant and Viable Places ensures a range of projects will be delivered which will benefit Pontypridd and surrounding communities.

“The council now looks forward to working with partners on this project to develop the provision of arts and cultural arts activities in the area.”

Mick Antoniw, Pontypridd AM, added: “This is fantastic news and is another important step in the regeneration of Pontypridd town centre.

“Coming so soon after the purchase of the Taff Vale site by RCT Council, it represents a further vote of confidence in Pontypridd’s future.

“This is exactly the sort of bold and ambitious project that people can take great pride in as well as offering residents state-of-the-art community services.”

Pontypridd YMCA will be throwing open its doors at 1.30pm and 6.30pm on Thursday, June 4, so people can tour the building, meet the architect and have a closer look at the plans and designs for the new building.

What does the proposed YMCA development include?

- Gym and Fitness Suite – providing a range of sports and health facilities to help encourage and enhance fitness and wellbeing

- Youth Club Room – space for local young people to access advice and support ranging from careers guidance to sexual health and wellbeing

- Recording Studio – an equipped recording studio to support the music and spoken word ambitions of local people

- Café on Taff Street – a place for YMusers and the community in general to meet, and where the events and facilities of the YMCA will be promoted

- Shop Units – three units providing space for local businesses to make a mark on the local economy

- Shelley Hall – Once a thriving venue for live music and entertainment, the refurbished Shelley Hall will re-instill the sense of community in this core space

- Meeting spaces – five spaces for hire and to facilitate local community group meetings and small events

- Dance Studios – one with seating for public performances, one for rehearsals and local dance/movement classes

- Visual Arts Space – A space to create and develop creativity with all the facilities necessary to enjoy a wide range of visual arts

- Digital Media Suite – to support the development of skill and media work from film to animation and presentation materials

- Training spaces for Tydfil Training - purpose built, dedicated training rooms for workshops and courses

- Office spaces – for resident organisations Ponty YMCA, Artis Community and Tydfil Training