Muni Arts Centre in Pontypridd Ready to Reopen for National Eisteddfod

The Muni arts centre in Pontypridd is ready to reopen in time for the National Eisteddfod, the council has announced.
Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council has confirmed that the major Y Muni redevelopment in Pontypridd has now been completed, and will be used for the first time during the National Eisteddfod.
The council said that finish touches have been ongoing throughout this week to make the final preparations for the venue and Y Muni is now ready to be a host venue during the National Eisteddfod of Wales, from August 3-10, where there will be preliminary competitions performed and some evening events.
The redevelopment has been completed using more than £5.3m funding from
the UK Government Levelling Up Fund – along with contributions from the
council and Welsh Government which bring the total investment up to £6m.
The project has included refurbishing the whole exterior of the building, the
main auditorium, and remodelling areas of the wider building such as the bar,
foyer and creating a new mezzanine overlooking the bar.
The original Gothic features of the listed building have been opened up, enhanced and refurbished.
The council said that a varied and exciting opening season of events has already been announced from September 2024 onwards – which includes a packed programme of music, comedy and event cinema.
Cabinet member Councillor Mark Norris visited the building on Monday, along
with Awen Cultural Trust chief Eeecutive Richard Hughes and the keys have been handed to the council.
Knox & Wells was the appointed contractor for the £6m redevelopment which was also the company that constructed the original building, a Weslyan Chapel, in 1895.
Councillor Bob Harris, cabinet member for public health and communities, has also visited the venue.
Councillor Mark Norris, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s cabinet member
for development and prosperity, said: “For nearly 40 years since the 1980s,
the Muni Arts Centre has been a valued and popular regional landmark for
arts and culture, and I’m delighted that this fantastic redevelopment has
secured the venue’s future as a regional arts and cultural venue, now called Y
Muni, for Pontypridd and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
“I was able to visit Y Muni on Monday to see the incredible transformation first
hand, and the building really has been given a new lease of life. Its historic
features have been sympathetically exposed and enhanced, while the venue
has been equipped with modern facilities to host music events and event
cinema.
“On the eve of the National Eisteddfod of Wales being hosted by Pontypridd,
I’m proud to announce that the significant £6m redevelopment is now
complete and Y Muni is ready to play its part in the festival’s celebrations.
“I can’t wait for members of the public to see the building for the first time,
especially when Awen’s exciting programme of events gets underway.”
Richard Hughes, chief executive of Awen Cultural Trust, said: “Following
a fantastic redevelopment project, it’s a significant achievement that Y Muni
will be open for the National Eisteddfod of Wales.
“The team at Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, contractors Knox
and Wells, the many subcontractors and suppliers, and my colleagues at
Awen have worked tirelessly to ensure the venue is ready to welcome the
local community and Eisteddfod visitors back next week.
“We will then reopen our doors in September with a fantastic programme of
live music, cinema and comedy, including an intimate gig with Dan Donnelly
and Jon Sevink of the Levellers, Pontypridd-born drummer of AC/DC and
Manfred Mann’s Earth Band fame Chris Slade, and Nigel Clark, lead singer of
the 90s Britpop band Dodgy.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​