A MULTI-MILLION-POUND children's medical centre will be built in Carmarthen – despite spiralling costs delaying its delivery by two years.
Trustees working towards opening the centre have vowed to continue fundraising as it was revealed that building costs will rise to £4million.
Initial costs for construction stood at £2million but a recent meeting between trustees and Hywel Dda Health Board revealed the increase.
It means hopes of the centre opening on land at Glangwili Hospital within the next two years have been ruled out.
Chair of trustees Sue Warren said: "We are looking at 2014 if not further ahead at the earliest now that the building costs are double.
"That cost is just that, the construction, it doesn't include equipment."
While the news came as a blow to trustees, Mrs Warren said they needed the public's help more than ever to keep the fundraising going.
She added: "We are disappointed but we need people more than ever over the coming year to really help us stay on target with the fund.
"We are calling on the people of Carmarthen and Carmarthenshire to come forward with fundraising ideas and events to really help us reach the building target."
In 2011, £17,623.22 was raised towards the building fund, which now stands at £932,634.
The two-storey building will be a one-stop shop for outpatient care of children with conditions such as cystic fibrosis, autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The centre — Canolfan Plant Sir Gâr — was formed as a charity a decade ago, but only went public with the scheme in 2010 with a major launch at the National Botanic Garden of Wales in Llanarthne.
In 2000, a team of doctors and parents met to discuss the possibility of a children's centre and establishing a charity to start fundraising.
After the charity was established a local lady, named Florence May Jones, passed away, leaving a large sum of her money to go towards a cause to help children in the county.
The charity was successful as benefactors and received £800,000 to get the ball rolling on the scheme.
