1. Introduction
Canolfan Llwynhendy is situated at Heol Elfed in Llwynhendy. The former branch library building was asset transferred to Llanelli Rural Council from Carmarthenshire County Council. The building is currently undergoing renovation and extension works. When complete, the spaces within the building will include:
Canolfan Llwynhendy will establish links with several service providers and offer facilities and services such as:
(image of floor plan for Canolfan Llwynhendy)
Canolfan Llwynhendy is part of a wider project that also includes the regeneration of the green space surrounding the building which is providing a new children’s play area, pathways, improved field drainage and environmental enhancements.
(Architect impression of Gwili Field and Canolfan Llwynhendy upon completion of works)
2. Progress (last updated 27/3/25)
Canolfan Llwynhendy building works
The front entrance extension which will host a foyer area and building toilets is progressing really well and will be completed first. In April, attention will switch to the internals of the kitchen, open plan area and meeting rooms. The plan is to open the building up to the public in or around June/July 2025.
Play Area and surrounding fields
The play area equipment, flooring and fencing have recently been installed. The enclosed play area for toddlers will be opened to the public once the Canolfan building works have been carried out, so that it is safe for public use and to ensure there is no interference with the ongoing building work to the former library building.
There will be a phased opening of the play areas:
- Fitness equipment area: Now open
- Toddler play area: Next area to open. Date to be confirmed
- Junior play area: After drainage works. Date to be confirmed
- Cableway / Zip line: After drainage works. Date to be confirmed
Further works are planned for the western side of the field. Drainage works are scheduled in this area which must be carried out before the junior play equipment situated there is opened to the public. Ground works have been delayed owing to the wet conditions of the field and there needed to be a period of time to allow for the western side of the fields to dry out so that heavy machinery can be taken on to the field. Works will commence again soon and the aim is to complete in time so that all play equipment is available for the summer period.
Naming of the field / park
We are seeking suggestions for the naming of the field. Please submit your suggestions to the council before 7 April 2025 via email [email protected] or phone 01554 774103.
3. Project funders
Thank you to our project funders and partners!
The play area, pathways and environmental enhancement project has been made possible thanks to funding from:
- UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund supported by Carmarthenshire County Council
- Our Llwynhendy – an Invest Local project
- Llanelli Rural Council
- Woodland Trust’s Free Trees for Schools and Communities
The Canolfan Llwynhendy project has been made possible thanks to funding from:
- Llanelli Rural Council
- Welsh Government’s Asset Collaboration Programme
- Our Llwynhendy – an Invest Local project
- Carmarthenshire County Council
4. Community consultation
We wish to ensure the building serves the community properly, which is why over the coming months we will be gathering the views of residents, community groups, local businesses and service providers. In the lead up to the building opening we will be out and about gathering the views and all planned interaction will be available on this page and social media. Where possible, it will also be promoted locally.
Online Survey
The survey is available on the link below. It gives residents the opportunity to say what they would like to see available at the Canolfan? What would their family, friends and neighbours like to access there? What would make them attend Canolfan Llwynhendy?
To provide us with your views, please comment in the survey here.
Events
Drop in events and public meetings will be scheduled and listed here.
Contact us
For more information, please call the office on 01554 774103 and speak to our Community Development Officer. Alternatively please email [email protected]
5. Café license opportunity
Llanelli Rural Council is pleased to offer a fantastic opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic operator to provide catering services at the newly developed Canolfan Llwynhendy on Heol Elfed, Llwynhendy, SA14 9HH. This is a prime location to serve a variety of foods, snacks and hot and cold drinks to the local community and visitors. The ‘Café’ area will include a kitchen, servery and internal and external seating areas.
Interested parties may download further information here
For more information or to register your interest, please contact Llanelli Rural Council. Tel: 01554 774103, [email protected]
6. Past news articles on the project
8 November 2024 – https://www.llanelli-rural.gov.uk/green-light-for-community-hub-thanks-to-a-major-grant-boost/
10 November 2023 – https://www.llanelli-rural.gov.uk/hub-is-green-for-go/
7 March 2022 – https://www.llanelli-rural.gov.uk/llwynhendy-hub-project-gathers-pace-but-more-views-still-needed/
16 June 2020 – https://www.llanelli-rural.gov.uk/views-sought-on-community-building-and-park-designs-for-llwynhendy/
19 December 2019 – https://www.llanelli-rural.gov.uk/heol-gwili-fields-the-next-step/
7. Frequently Asked Questions
When will the building be open?
The building is scheduled to open in June/July 2025.
What is going to happen to the library service?
The plan is to install two book cabinets, which operate much like a vending machine, to create a self-service library allowing the customer to borrow and return titles with ease. The addition of a self-service reservation locker within the new foyer area, will allow customers to reserve items online from the extensive Carmarthenshire library catalogue. When an item is ready for collection it is simply picked up from the locker in the foyer of the Canolfan at a time that is convenient. Items collected from reservation lockers can also be returned via the locker when they are due. As well as a bank of static public PC’s and Print services, a dock of 6 Hublet tablets will provide quick and secure access to digital resources whilst on the premises supporting digital inclusion activity. The Hublet tablets complement the book cabinets as they are a popular way of accessing library catalogues to order titles that are not immediately available. Locating the Hublets within the wider community space encourages customers to access the library’s other digital services, including audio books, e-books, newspapers and magazines and extends their use to community groups, classes and organisations utilising the venue which is also complemented by free public wi-fi provision and café.
How can I hire a space there and how much will it cost?
There will be a multi-purpose space and up to three meeting rooms available to hire. Each space will have a set rate. Discounted rates will be available to local groups and charities that serve Llwynhendy.
Is there going to be extra car parking?
The car park is being extended as part of the current building works.
Is there a pond planned for the green space?
No, there is no pond planned. The architect impression may suggest this but what we have planned at the bottom corner of the field is an area that will capture and slowly release field surface water. The drainage works planned for the site will direct surface water from heavy rainfall into a mixture of swales, basins and underground storage that slowly releases the water into the ground and existing sewers.
What are the opening hours Canolfan Llwynhendy?
The initial opening hours will likely be 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. This may change as we get used to operations. The building will be staffed and the opening hours will reflect that. Evening and weekend opening will be dictated by hirings, volunteering efforts and cafe opening hours.
