Opened on 6 May 1909 by the opera singer Adelina Patti, the Pontardawe Public Hall & Institute contained a reading room, billiards room, and club rooms. The public hall had a capacity of 1500 people. Maintained by a management committee comprised of representatives from local chapels and trades unions, the Hall & Institute remained open until 1994 when the committee transfered ownership to the then Lliw Valley Borough Council. The Pontardawe Arts Centre, which occupies the building today, opened in 1996.
