The new waterpark could attract an extra 350,000 visitors a year to the North Wales seaside resort of Rhyl.
A planning application has now been submitted, taking the £15 million ($20m/€17.5m) Rhyl Aquatic Centre project a step closer to development. If it gets the go ahead from councillors, the 1,200 square metre waterpark is likely to open in 2019.
It will be funded largely by public money. Contributions will come from Denbighshire Council, Rhyl Town Council and the Welsh Government. Once open, it is predicted to provide an annual boost of £1.7m to the Rhyl economy.
Designs from Alliance Leisure were shown to locals as part of a public consultation last month. As well as indoor and outdoor slides, there will be a children’s water playground, splash pads and lounger areas. Dry facilities will include a climbing wall, activity zone and party rooms. A bar and terrace will cater for evening trade.
“We welcome the submission of the waterpark planning application which heralds another step in Rhyl’s regeneration,” says Gareth Nickels of Rhyl Town Council. “The response to the public consultation showed there is clear support for the waterpark. It will bring not only a new, much-needed attraction to Rhyl but jobs, tourists and business footfall too.”
Rhyl’s waterpark revival
A previous waterpark, Rhyl Sun Centre was hugely popular throughout the 1980s, but It was eventually demolished in 2016 after years of decline.
The new Rhyl Aquatic Centre will be built on the town’s waterfront, close to the Sky Tower observation tower. The latter attraction, which has not been operational as a ride for some years, has previously been earmarked for renovation. To make way for the new waterpark, a skate park is to be relocated. In addition, a new outdoor splash pad and sun terrace will be created to replace an existing paddling pool.
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/plans-submitted-15m-rhyl-water-12936681
