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 have been approved by the Council’s Cabinet.
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 agreed 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
The developments are intended to enhance the theatre. In the short to medium term, the Council will be looking to tidy up the theatre and continue a programme of improvements, which have recently seen new dressing rooms, procuring better sound and lighting and tidying up the main entrance. The Council is fully committed to keeping and improving the current theatre offer whilst it considers further facility proposals for the coast.
It’s expected that the Council will receive development proposals for Rhyl by April, with a preferred developer identified by September.
A feasibility study will be completed on the Nova redevelopment by April and discussed by Cabinet in the same month.
