Shadow Minister for North Wales, Darren Millar MS, has expressed deep concern that one of Rhyl’s major tourist attractions will not be open for the summer.
Denbighshire Leisure Limited announced this week that SC2 will not be open for the remainder of 2024 due to damage to its roof, which was caused during adverse weather in December last year.
Darren said the closure will have a devastating impact on Rhyl, which he said is already struggling.
Commenting, he said:
“This is absolutely devastating news for the staff at SC2, all the local families who use the facility, as well as the town overall.
“Rhyl was once a bustling tourist town with so much to keep families entertained, but sadly this is no longer the case.
“When SC2 first opened to visitors in 2019, I was hopeful that it would be the start of the town’s return to its glory days, but regrettably this has not been the case and in the past couple of years we have seen nothing but the closure of attractions and failed ventures in the town.
“Earlier this year the town lost the popular Seaquarium, the new Queen’s Market building, which cost a staggering £12.6 million, remains empty, and children were left devastated when the popular park on the promenade was closed to accommodate the sea defence works.
“It seems that nothing is being properly thought through by the current Labour-led County Council and as a result this once thriving seaside town is losing visitors in droves.
“Neighbouring Towyn and Prestatyn are thriving, and Rhyl could be too with the right vision and determination to succeed.
“It has one of the best beaches in Wales and there remains some great businesses, such as Harker’s Amusements and the Kite Surf Café, but people looking to come here for the day or for a holiday need to know there will be plenty to keep them occupied in all weathers.
“The closure of SC2 for the remainder of this year will undoubtedly hit the town hard with people going elsewhere instead.
“It is a great shame that Rhyl lost its popular paddling pool to SC2, it should never have been allowed to happen. If it was still a stand-alone attraction, at least families could flock there this summer.
“I know I am not the only one who has been gravely disappointed by the lack of progress in Rhyl in recent years. Residents are sick of the excuses from Denbighshire Leisure and Denbighshire County Council, they are sick of the lack of progress, and they are sick of reading negative press reports about a town they were once proud to call home.”
Rhyl East County Cllr Justine Evans added:
“I was extremely disappointed to learn that SC2 will not be open this summer and for the remainder of 2024.
“How on earth can we expect people to want to visit our town if there is nothing here for them to do?
“As I responded to Denbighshire Leisure on the announcement of the closure of SC2, anyone who does visit Rhyl this year is unlikely to come back!”
