An outdoor education centre which has enabled thousands of youngsters to experience a true taste of adventure just metres away from Pendine Sands, looks set for closure in a bid to increase local affordable housing.
The Pendine Outdoor Education Centre, which is owned and managed by Carmarthenshire County Council, is now being deemed to be past its best. This, coupled with the growing demands for social housing, has prompted the local authority to close its doors for the final time in October 2025.
"The closure presents us with an option to develop 25 affordable housing units at the site that could be provided for general and specialist use," said Cllr Hazel Evans, who is Carmarthenshire County Council's cabinet member for regeneration, leisure, culture ad tourism.
Cllr Evans went on to say that the council remains committed to outdoor education experiences for young people, while the value of the Pendine centre would be determined independently, with the sum then being invested in Pembrey Country Park This could include enhancing its facilities with camping and glamping pods that will be available for education use during school term-time and for the public during the holidays.
"This investment at Pembrey Country Park will maximise usage, income and the future sustainability of the park," added Cllr Evans.
The Pendine outdoor education centre (OEC) has served local primary school children as well as adventure-seeking youngsters from throughout south Wales and even beyond the Prince of Wales Bridge. It has provided residential activity weeks that last typically from Mondays through to Fridays and has also catered for organisations such as scout and guide groups, rugby and football clubs, the Duke of Edinburgh Award residential and expedition groups, family activity days and bespoke outdoor training courses.
Children have also been taken on day trips to Pen y Fan and the Preseli hills as well as weekend expeditions to Snowdonia.
Popular outdoor education centre set to close
An outdoor education centre which has enabled thousands of youngsters to experience a true taste of adventure just metres away from Pendine Sands, looks set for closure in a bid to increase local affordable housing.
The Pendine Outdoor Education Centre, which is owned and managed by Carmarthenshire County Council, is now being deemed to be past its best. This, coupled with the growing demands for social housing, has prompted the local authority to close its doors for the final time in October 2025.
"The closure presents us with an option to develop 25 affordable housing units at the site that could be provided for general and specialist use," said Cllr Hazel Evans, who is Carmarthenshire County Council's cabinet member for regeneration, leisure, culture ad tourism.
Cllr Evans went on to say that the council remains committed to outdoor education experiences for young people, while the value of the Pendine centre would be determined independently, with the sum then being invested in Pembrey Country Park This could include enhancing its facilities with camping and glamping pods that will be available for education use during school term-time and for the public during the holidays.
"This investment at Pembrey Country Park will maximise usage, income and the future sustainability of the park," added Cllr Evans.
The Pendine outdoor education centre (OEC) has served local primary school children as well as adventure-seeking youngsters from throughout south Wales and even beyond the Prince of Wales Bridge. It has provided residential activity weeks that last typically from Mondays through to Fridays and has also catered for organisations such as scout and guide groups, rugby and football clubs, the Duke of Edinburgh Award residential and expedition groups, family activity days and bespoke outdoor training courses.
Children have also been taken on day trips to Pen y Fan and the Preseli hills as well as weekend expeditions to Snowdonia.