Swansea Leisure Centre has been closed

The centre's closure was announced on Thursday, and efforts are being made to redeploy as many of the 90 staff as possible within Swansea Council.

But staff have been told that some redundancies were still possible, although no-one would be affected before the end of January.

The leisure centre, which was one of Wales' leading tourist attractions, was closed indefinitely because it needs �14m in repairs.

Workers at the centre will remain on full-pay during a 90-day consultation period where future options will be discussed between the council, staff and trade unions.

Deputy leader of Swansea Council, Robert Francis Davies said: "The council's aim is to protect as many jobs as possible.

"The consultation period with the unions has already started and staff will be kept well-informed of progress," he added.

Modernisation

Leaders of Swansea Council have said that a search will begin on Monday for a private sector partner to help fund the �35m build of a conference and leisure centre on the site.

The centre, with its swimming pool complex, wave machine, hydro-slide and indoor bowls green, is regularly in the list of the top 10 visitor attractions in Wales.

It was opened by the Queen amid much fanfare in 1977, her Silver Jubilee year.

But a detailed structural survey undertaken in the last fortnight showed that millions of pounds would have had to be spent to bring the centre up to modern standards.

A decision was made to shut the centre indefinitely on Thursday after councillors decided they could not afford to raise the �14m needed to fund the vital repairs.