The leisure centre closed a year ago over safety fears

A report before Swansea Council's Cabinet this week says the closed centre is "beyond economic use".

It recommends that demolition work should start in November 2005, so as not to overshadow the opening of �30m National Waterfront Museum nearby.

The move will be the final curtain for the centre opened by the Queen in 1977.

The centre was closed in November 2003 after councillors were told it would need �14m of repairs.

On Thursday councillors discussed a 50-page report published last week by the council's monitoring officers into the closure of the leisure centre.

The museum is a spectacular building and we want to give it the best possible start Swansea leader Chris Holley

Senior official David Evans who was in charge of the centre at the time of its closure was also temporarily suspended.

Swansea Council leader Chris Holley said on Saturday that the authority was now in a position to make a decision on the centre's future.

"We are now in a position to make a decision on the future of the leisure centre building. The report, which looks at a number of options, will be considered by Cabinet next Thursday," he said.

"The recommendation is that the site is beyond economic use and that demolition begins in November 2005.

"We have been working closely with the National Waterfront Museum and we have agreed that this is the best way forward."

The new waterfront museum is due to open next June and Mr Holley said even if demolition work on the leisure centre was to begin immediately, it would not be completed ahead of that date.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors flocked to the centre each year

"The museum is a spectacular building and we want to give it the best possible start."

The authority is also continuing with discussions on future uses of the site and replacement facilities.

Key stakeholders in the project including tourism chiefs, business leaders and former users of the centre, will attend a council seminar on Thursday to discuss future options.

"We are working with one of Britain's leading leisure experts to find the best solution for Swansea, its residents and tourists," said Mr Holley.

"We will continue to work closely with key groups in Swansea and share our ideas during the coming weeks and months."

The internal report made 17 recommendations resulting from the centre's demise.

These include a review of the condition of all council-owned buildings, the need to introduce a professionally managed maintenance system and a review of health and safety procedures.

The centre was one of the most popular visitor attractions in Wales, attracting over 750,000 people a year.