Plans on how Denbighshire County Council intends to develop proposals for a new Aquatic Centre in Rhyl and the redevelopment of the Nova in Prestatyn, which form part of Denbighshire County Council’s vision for leisure and tourism along the coast, will go before the Council’s Cabinet next week.
In January 2013, Cabinet agreed to explore options for the future of the coastal leisure and tourism facilities in Rhyl and Prestatyn. During the past 12 months, the Council has carried out work to understand the current and potential future offer for the facilities.
The recommendations to be discussed by Cabinet are:
- To adopt a ‘preferred developer’ approach to the delivery of improved tourism and leisure facilities in Rhyl, including a new Aquatic Centre and to invite expressions of interest from developers.
- To include development opportunities in all Council facilities/land/assets along Rhyl Promenade (Marine Lake to Splash Point) within the invitation for expressions of interest.
- To work with Alliance Leisure to produce a detailed business feasibility study and an appraisal of design and build options for the redevelopment of the Nova.
- To make a commitment in principle to ring-fence operational savings generated as a result of the re-development proposals to support potential capital contributions from the Council towards delivery of the ‘whole project’ .
- To meet with Welsh Government to explore support for a ‘special’ partnership approach to the coastal regeneration.
Councillor Huw Jones, Cabinet Lead Member for Leisure, said:
“There is a huge amount of work going on to transform Rhyl’s fortunes and we are aware that there is a need to ensure we are providing facilities that will enhance the quality of life for residents and will undoubtedly prove a major draw for visitors as well. These plans have been in the pipeline for a while.
“We have consulted on these proposals extensively over the past 12 months and the current situation with Clwyd Leisure doesn’t change our aspirations or vision for the coast, nor does it question the Council’s commitment to making these aspirations become a reality.
Jamie Groves, Denbighshire’s Head of Communications, Marketing and Leisure, said:
“Even in a difficult economic climate, this report shows that Denbighshire is committed to investing in leisure provision that will have a very positive contribution to health and well being, as well as the wider development of the local economy and the regeneration efforts.
“This is the start of our efforts to engage with the private sector to work with us on our aspirations for Rhyl and Prestatyn and we have clear timelines and plans in place to consider the way forward.
“We have a strong and proven track record for providing a sustainable and high quality leisure offer across Denbighshire, our own leisure sites being a prime example. We have made recent investments in leisure centres across the county whilst continuing to improve the offer to customers, encouraging new customers to join up through exciting membership opportunities and reducing budgets significantly.
“This should offer people the confidence that we are trying to do the right thing, for the benefit of local residents, visitors and the local economy”.
If approved, the Council would expect to receive the development proposals for Rhyl by April, with a preferred developer identified by September.
A feasibility study would be completed on the Nova redevelopment by April and discussed by Cabinet in the same month.
