Denbighshire County Council’s vision of delivering first class leisure coastal facilities in Rhyl has reached an important milestone – with the Council now on the hunt for a development partner to help recreate the town as a premier destination for visitors to the North Wales coast.
The Council has advertised for a development partner to develop the leisure offer and is willing to consider any proposals involving any of its land and properties in an area from Marine Lake, along the promenade to Splash Point.
Any partner developer interested in delivering projects would be expected to secure private finance, but the Council would work closely with them to explore funding from other sources.
Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, who is also the Cabinet Lead Member for Economic Development, said: “Our partner will need to share our vision for a renewed and regenerated Rhyl which not only provides first class facilities for the local population, but once again becomes a premier destination for visitors to the North Wales coast.
“The regeneration of Rhyl is a priority for the Council and the investment of recent years has really begun to change the way Rhyl looks, feels and functions. People are speaking positively about the town, not just in terms of the changes that have been made, but about its prospects for the future.
“There have been a number of high profile regeneration schemes, including the redevelopment of Rhyl Harbour, a major refurbishment of the Vue Cinema, the redevelopment of the bus station and the creation of a new green space in West Rhyl.
“There are also exciting plans in the pipeline, including plans for a 70 bed Premier Inn Hotel and associated restaurant. There has been an unprecedented number of investment enquiries, which demonstrates developers’ increasing confidence in Rhyl as a place to invest”.
Councillor Huw Jones, Cabinet Lead Member for Leisure, said: “We want a scheme that is deliverable and will play a significant role in regenerating the town through providing a range of excellent new leisure facilities. This would help create new jobs and business opportunities.
“We have got major aspirations for the coast, including a new Aquatic Centre to renew the leisure offer along the seafront. There is scope to bring the Skytower back to use and we have facilities at the Children’s Village (including an underground car park) that could form part of any development brief.
“There are a number of facilities that also exist along the seafront which could be considered in any proposals, including the Sun Centre, Pavilion Theatre, Events Arena, Marine Lake, bowling greens and various car parks.
“This is an exciting step forward in making our vision for leisure along the coast become a reality.”
