By Shaurya Shaurya

Copyright walesonline

Carmarthenshire Council has finally revealed the opening date for the first phase of a £200 million plus health, leisure and life science complex on the outskirts of Llanelli . Work on the Pentre Awel project at the Delta Lakes site in Llanelli began in early 2023. The goal was to complete Zone 1, or the first stage of the project – now known as Canolfan, by autumn, 2024 . Being built by the French family-owned firm Bouygues, the project was forecasted to include the installation of 1,050 piles which would be finished by mid to late April, 2024, with the first “super structures” taking shape around July the same year. However, in September, 2024, the council, which is leading the project, said the opening of the first phase would be delayed by three months owing to bad weather. In a further update in July, 2025 , the council announced it expected the development to be handed over in the “next few weeks”. Stay informed on Carms news by signing up to our newsletter here Now, as we enter Autumn, 2025, the local authority has finally revealed that Canolfan Pentre Awel will be opening its doors to the public from 4pm on Wednesday, October 15. An official opening event for the facility will be held towards the end of 2025. Canolfan Pentre Awel will include: Other facilities like community healthcare and research space, education and training facilities, business incubation and innovation spaces will also be launching soon. Leader of Carmarthenshire Council, Cllr Darren Price, said: “We are incredibly proud to see Canolfan Pentre Awel reach this stage. It’s a project that’s been years in the making and will be a transformational moment not just for Llanelli, but for Carmarthenshire and the wider region. “This is a true example of public and private sector collaboration delivering long-term benefits for our communities. I would like to take this opportunity to thank lead contractor Bouygues UK, the local and national supply chain and all those involved for their hard work during the construction of Canolfan Pentre Awel.” Coming in the future, the second and third phases of the wider Pentre Awel project will include up to 370 assisted living units for people with differing care needs, and additional business space. The fourth and final phase of the project will include housing and a hotel. Spread over an area the size of 40 rugby pitches, the complex will also accommodate a nursing home, landscaped paths and habitat improvements. The project forms one of the nine projects under the Swansea Bay City Deal that covers Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Pembrokeshire and Neath Port Talbot . According to a City Deal report in July, 2025 , the project is expected to cost £218 million, compared to an original business target of £202 million. Nearly half of this £218 million is expected to be put forward by the private sector, while £40 million will come from central government, and £68 million from the council and other public sector partners.