Topping Out For City's New Arena
Ceremony held digitally because of Coronavirus restrictions
The topping out ceremony of Swansea's new seafront arena is taking place today.
The event though will be a virtual celebration, in light of current Covid restrictions.
Political and business leaders are marking the moment together, digitally, via a specially created video.
The film features footage from a drone sweeping through the Swansea Central Phase One district and around the arena complex, right up to the rooftop over 20m above the road below.
It's the latest milestone for the £135m Swansea Central Phase One scheme, a catalyst for the city's £1bn transformation over the coming few years.
The project, with the arena, new parkland, homes, commercial units, parking and landmark bridge, is on target to open in the second half of next year.
Council leader Rob Stewart said: "This is a key moment in the transformation of this site and the £1bn regeneration of Swansea city centre.
"The private and public sectors are backing Swansea with ideas, money and action - and people across our communities can be confident in the city's future.
"Swansea city centre is fast becoming a great place to live, work, study and play.
"Although this was an important moment, we took the pandemic into consideration and chose to do it virtually rather than with a traditional gathering."
Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: "It's fantastic see a transformative project - one of the biggest in the UK - being delivered in the heart of Swansea.
"The UK Government is working to bring greater investment and growth to communities across Wales and this project is going to make a huge difference to Swansea and to the wider region.
"It is something to be excited about and it's been an incredible achievement to deliver it during some very difficult times."
Wales Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport Lee Waters said: "The arena will be visible across the sweep of Swansea Bay - and we hope its economic impact will be felt right across the city region."
Robert Francis-Davies, the council's cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: "Swansea's ambitions are coming together!
"We're already blessed to live on the UK's best bay - now the arena illustrates how we're delivering a first-class destination city centre.
"This development is going to be the catalyst to drive all the ambitions we have so I urge investors to take a look at us; they won't be disappointed."
Buckingham Group Director Kevin Underwood said: "We're delivering high-quality work on this very special project - a fantastic flagship development for the centre of Swansea. We've reached an important milestone in the construction of this innovative arena and I look forward to it hosting some fabulous shows in the near future."
ATG Group Operations Director Stuart Beeby said: "With this major milestone reached, everyone can start to see what a premier building the Swansea Arena is going to be.
"An arena of this calibre deserves to be filled with world class acts and we're already booking in shows with some of the industry's top promoters.
"Swansea's new future as a destination for the best live entertainment is closer than ever."