RHYL’S much-loved Sun Centre could be torn down and replaced with an ambitious £10m aquatic centre.
The 32-year-old attraction, judged to have come to the end of its life, could be replaced by a new centre built next to the town’s Sky Tower as part of proposals unveiled by Denbighshire County Council and development partners Alliance Leisure.
The pool at Rhyl Leisure Centre will also close following construction of the new centre featuring a six-lane 25m pool, learner pool, fun pool, changing area, 100-station family fitness suite and North Wales’ first VertiGo climbing experience.
Tom Booty, project manager for Rhyl Going Forward, said: “The Sun Centre has reached the end of its life, we want to create a new flagship aquatic offer.
“Demolition is the right thing to do, when we look at the cost of refurbishment for any use, it is excessive.
“We are confident about the proposals we are putting forward.
“We are looking at this to be the catalyst for regeneration.
“It would be a central, highly-visible site close to the town centre, we want the new destination and the footfall that creates to be near the town centre so it has the opportunity to benefit from the increased footfall.”
Members of Denbighshire Council approved the launch of a business case with a decision expected in April to go ahead with the plans.
The project could start next year and open in 2016.
Officials have announced the Sun Centre will remain until the new aquatic centre is opened.
Jamie Groves, Denbighshire’s Head of Leisure Services, said discussions would continue with the Sun Centre’s current owners Clwyd Leisure.
He said: “We are at a very early stage.
“What we want is an iconic building to put the coast back on the map as it was as a seaside resort years and years ago.
“To get there we have to make blunt decisions.
“We are trying to capture the local market and the visitor market and we are looking to attract more inward investment and I think this puts a big statment out to the private sector.”