A RHYL community hub which was revamped after formerly being used as a cannabis farm has continued expanding by adding a free soft play area for children.
The building, previously occupied by Woolworths and Gala Bingo, was abandoned after the £1.5million farm was found there in 2021.
But under Rhyl businessman Stephen Wright, of Sovereign Trophies, it has been given a new lease of life as "High Street Hwb", at 1-4 East Parade.
On Tuesday (May 9), a designated soft play area for those aged five and younger was opened, while the hub has also introduced a pool table, dart boards and a board game area.
READ MORE:
Derelict former Rhyl bingo site-turned-cannabis farm resurrected as community hub
Fitness classes, martial arts and Morris dancing at new Rhyl community hub
LOOK: Inside the Rhyl community hub transformed from a £1.5million cannabis farm!
The board game area has already proved popular with players of the fantasy role-play game, “Dungeons & Dragons”.
Stephen said: “We invested quite a bit in a lot of soft play equipment, which is all set up and ready.
“It’s free to use. Obviously, the parents need to supervise them while they’re in there, but apart from that, there are no issues.
“We’d had a couple of people ask for it, and found some equipment which wasn’t too pricey for what it was. It’s been great so far.
“When there are events running at the hub, there are always four or five children playing in it, so it helps keep them busy while adults are doing other things.”
Among those using the community hub are Rhyl-based Gaz Gee’s Martial Arts, Rhyl Revells Morris Dancers, and fitness classes led by a personal trainer.
A pool table charging 50p per game has also just been added, as have three different dart boards for adult, junior and disabled use.
NEWSLETTER: Get the latest stories from the Rhyl, Prestatyn and Abergele area sent straight to your inbox by signing up here.
After getting the keys to the building on September 1, 2022, Stephen and fellow Rhyl entrepreneur Craig Cummings (High Street Print Shop), spent months renovating the site.
He added: “It (pool table) is something I’ve been looking for since we took the place on. We’ve got the space for it.
“From what I’ve been told, there are no pool tables on Rhyl’s seafront anymore, so there is nowhere people can come and play pool without being in a pub or bar.
“The idea is to have one of the dart boards set lower, so that wheelchair users can access it. There will be one at adult height, one at junior height, and one for wheelchair users.”
The hub also offers free printing for CVs, job applications and missing pet posters, and no charge for any good causes who need to use the space.
It also operated as a storage and drop-off point for a toy giveaway it hosted last Christmas.
Its tea and coffee machine, which also makes hot chocolate, works on an “honesty” basis, so people can make a donation, but don’t have to pay for a hot drink if they can’t or don’t want to.
Stephen added: “We’re constantly expanding the board games area, with Dungeons & Dragons play sets, as well.
“The people here had lost their existing Dungeons & Dragons play space, so were looking for somewhere else to use. We’ve got a couple more ideas for that area, too.
“Another gentleman’s opened a games console repair and 3D printing shop in one of the rooms here, so it’s all going great.
“We’ve made a few changes to the layout, too, opening up a lot more space for the community unit.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here