Aberavon Beach facts for kids
Aberavon Beach (which is Traeth Aberafan in Welsh) is a long, sandy beach in Port Talbot, Wales. It stretches for about 5 kilometers (3 miles) along the north-eastern part of Swansea Bay. This beach is very popular with surfers because of its big waves.
Aberavon Beach was given a special award called "Blue Flag" status in December 2007. This award means the beach is clean, safe, and well-managed. It also appears in the Good Beach Guide by the Marine Conservation Society.
Years ago, in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, Aberavon Beach was a popular holiday spot for families from the South Wales Valleys. People would come here for traditional "bucket and spade" fun. The area used to have many sand dunes, known as Aberavon Burrows.
Over time, the beach became less popular as a holiday resort. But in 1998, the local council, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, made a plan to make the area better and attract more visitors.
Since then, many new things have been built. These include an outdoor theatre (amphitheatre), a public square (piazza), and a skateboard park. A cinema called Reel Cinemas also opened near the Afan Lido as part of a project called "Hollywood Park." However, some plans, like a bowling alley, didn't happen. Some businesses there also found it hard to succeed. This led one person to say that the beach improvements were a "white elephant," meaning they cost a lot but didn't bring the expected benefits. The beachfront also has a hotel and a few cafes, bars, and restaurants.
People have also worried about the beach slowly being worn away by the sea, which is called coastal erosion. This affects Aberavon Beach and other beaches in Swansea Bay.
Contents
Afan Lido Fire and Rebuilding
What Happened to Afan Lido?
In December 2009, a big fire broke out at the Afan Lido swimming pool. More than 100 firefighters worked to put it out. The fire went through the roof, and firefighters could not go inside the building. Seventeen fire trucks, including three special ladder trucks, were at the scene. Firefighters stayed there for about 32 hours after the fire started.
At the time of the fire, the Lido was open, but only one person was swimming. A lifeguard saw flames coming from behind a fake rock and quickly raised the alarm. Luckily, no one was hurt or died in the fire.
Safety Measures During the Fire
As firefighters arrived, people living nearby were told to stay indoors. They also had to keep their doors and windows closed. This was because of potentially dangerous chemicals inside the building. About an hour after the fire began, people in the nearby Channel View area had to leave their homes for safety. A restaurant a few hundred meters from the Afan Lido also had to be evacuated.
Plans for a New Lido
While the fire was still burning, local council members promised that the Afan Lido would be replaced. Soon after the fire, the building was declared unsafe and had to be pulled down. Plans for a new Afan Lido were quickly made, with hopes to finish it by summer 2013.
In October 2011, almost two years later, the old building finally started to be demolished. Clearing the site had been difficult before because of a material called asbestos, which needed to be removed safely. This work was finished, and the building was completely demolished by January 2012.
After many public discussions in 2012, construction for the new facility was planned to start in April 2014. It would be built on the site where the bowling alley was supposed to go. The land where the old Lido stood would be sold to help pay for the new building.
What the New Lido Offers
The new complex was designed to include many great features:
- A 25-meter swimming pool with 8 lanes. It also has a special movable floor.
- A smaller pool for learning or splashing.
- A viewing area for 100 people next to the pool.
- Changing rooms for both wet and dry activities.
- A cafe.
- An indoor soft play area for children.
- Rooms for community meetings.
- A youth club area.
- A fitness gym with 100 exercise stations.
- A combined dance studio and martial arts room (dojo).
- A spin room for cycling classes.
- A sports hall with 4 courts and seating for 100 spectators.
The building work was expected to take about 15 months to complete. A company called Heron Brothers was in charge of the construction.
Kitetail Sculpture
The Kitetail sculpture is a large piece of art found at Aberavon seafront. It is the biggest sculpture in Wales, standing 12 meters (about 39 feet) tall and weighing 11 tonnes. The artist and sculptor, Andrew Rowe, who is from Carmarthenshire, designed it. The sculpture was put in place in December 2007.
Gallery
-
Aberavon Beach view towards Swansea Bay
-
The RNLI Port Talbot Lifeboat Station at Aberavon Beach
-
A view of the Aberavon Beach seafront
-
Aberavon Beach seafront seen from the beach, with the Kitetail sculpture
-
Another view towards the seafront at Aberavon Beach
Nearest places
- Baglan Bay
- Sandfields
- Aberavon
- Port Talbot docks
- Port Talbot Parkway railway station
