IT'S full steam ahead for a £750,000-plus recreation ground makeover, after a vital cash injection.

A three-year drive to secure new changing rooms for Felinfoel's Recreation Ground is coming to a climax — after a £300,000 boost from the Assembly's Community Facilities and Activities Programme (CFAP).

Llanelli Rural Council has spent the past three years saving £354,000 towards replacing the rundown facility, after abandoning earlier plans to spend £55,000 on a new boiler as part of a short-term solution.

And the new building will be much than just somewhere to pull on a rugby top and take a shower — the plans include a new community facility which will also include meeting rooms, computer suite, a dining room and kitchen.

With Communities First Felinfoel helping with other funding bids in return for office space at the ground, the recent instalment of cash means work on the project is on track to start within months.

Council clerk Mark Galbraith said: "Effectively this gives the green light to start construction of the new building in the spring, which is marvellous news for Felinfoel."

The funding is part of a £7 million package of support over the next three years for 46 projects across Wales through CFAP.

The programme aims to help community and voluntary organisations provide new facilities and activities which will promote the regeneration of communities.

For more on this story see this week's Llanelli Star.