Exciting prospects for the Community Towy Community Church will become the first church in the UK to open and run a ten pin bowling alley - bringing much needed jobs and a new leisure attraction to the town. The venture is planned at the former St Ivel cheese packing plant in Johnstown and profits from the arena will fund various community projects for the town including a food bank, re-cycled furniture outlet; a free, award winning debt counselling service, money management classes and a community café. There are plans, too, for a 500 seat conference centre and performing arts activities for teenagers.

Big Lottery and Welsh Assembly Government Fund £798,202 for Bowling Alley and Community Projects.

Our plans for a ten pin bowling alley, food bank and furniture re-cycling facility WILL go ahead! We've received almost £800,000 grant funding from the the Big Lottery and Welsh Assembly Government through the Community Asset Transfer programme! Without it the Xcel project couldn't have got off the ground but now it's full steam ahead and we hope to be working on site by the end of the year. Having the green light means we can meet our community's needs for another top quality leisure facility which will also fund projects to help people suffering hardship. There will be sustainable long term benefits for local people.

Plans for a tenpin bowling alley in Carmarthen

You may have seen the story in the Carmarthen Journal about a new bowling alley planned for Carmarthen and wondered who was behind it all. Well – it’s us!  What’s more, Carmarthenshire County Council think it’s such a good idea that they are partnering with us by offering to lease us the 2.7 acre site of the former St Ivel cheese packing plant in Johnstown for the venture!

An all-weather lesuire attraction for the community

Known as Xcel Bowl, the 12 lane arena will create up to 20 jobs and profits will be used to fund various community projects on site. These will include a food bank and  re-cycled furniture for people suffering hardship. There will also be a free, award winning debt counselling service called CAP, money management classes and a 50 seat community café. There are plans, too, for a 500 seat conference centre and performing arts activities for teenagers.
Grant funding has been applied for and if successful, refurbishment work could start as early as this summer!

Bringing much needed new jobs to Carmarthen

The proposed bowling alley would create jobs and generate income which would be reinvested back into the community.

Working together with local government and community groups

Towy Community Church will be working in partnership with other agencies as well as the local authority to provide these much needed facilities for the town and surrounding area.

Have your say on Xcel

The people of Johnstown are being consulted and members of the public are being asked to complete surveys about the plans. To take part in our survey, click here.  To have your say about the plans and express your views or ask post on our forum. We look forward to hearing from you!