*UPDATE 2.50PM*

Penarth Leisure Centre has confirmed that the swimming pool will remain closed for the rest of this month and that the gym will also remain closed for "at least" another week from today, March 6.

In a statement released this afternoon the PLC management team said that the pool may remain closed for the rest of March, "possibly longer", and that "all individuals on swimming lessons have had a credit added to their account in lieu of the cancelled lessons up until the end of the block".

A spokesman added: "Everything within our power is being done to return to normal service as soon as possible, however, the safety of our customers is paramount.

"Again, thank you to all our customers for being so patient and understanding in this matter."

The spokesman added that customers will be kept updated via Facebook and the centre's web page, and that the reception team are also in the building if anyone needs to phone for information

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PENARTH Leisure Centre partially reopened this week after a sauna fire caused “extensive damage” to the building.

The gym and swimming pool remain closed whilst a clean-up operation continues, but the squash courts, main hall, two dance studios and party room have all now reopened.

The group exercise programme is now operating as normal, as well as all main hall block bookings and activities such as soft play and badminton, after the leisure centre reopened on Monday, March 3.

A spokesman from Parkwood Community Leisure, which operates the leisure centre on behalf of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said the clean-up operation would continue for the next two to three weeks.

He added that said that staff were working “as hard as they can” to reopen all the facilities.

Six fire crews attended the leisure centre on Sunday evening, February 23, after an accidental fire started in the sauna.

Around 25 people were evacuated from the building as one gym user said they saw smoke “billowing” out of reception.

Speaking during a Penarth Town Council policy and finance committee meeting last Thursday, February 27, Penarth town mayor Councillor Neil Thomas said that he had been to the leisure centre earlier in the day to survey the damage.

"The damage is quite extensive to the sauna area and by the end of the pool," he said.

Cllr Thomas, who represents the Cornerswell ward, added that the gym and swimming pool would take “slightly longer” to reopen, as there was still smoke damage throughout the building and that a cleaning operation had now begun.

"It is particularly difficult in the pool area because of the depth of the pool and height of the ceiling doesn't help.”

He also commended the work of staff in evacuating the building on Sunday evening: "Nobody was hurt by the fire and nobody suffered smoke damage, mostly down to the extremely efficient way the staff reacted and got everybody out. Even though some were in bathing costumes staff let them sit in their own cars to stay warm."

He added that the main hall and dance studios weren't badly affected by the fire but still smelt of smoke.