STAFF and management at one of Rhyl's flagship attractions have expressed their heartbreak that the popular waterpark will not be able to open this year.
The roof of the SC2 waterpark was seriously damaged during devastating storms in December last year.
Since then, waterpark users and visitors have been asking when the attraction will open again.
Today, Denbighshire Leisure Limited (DLL), which operates SC2, have now given an update on progress to repair the damage - which is far more severe than first thought.
It means that the £15million water park, which first welcomed visitors in April, 2019, will not be able to open to the public again in 2024.
SC2 in Rhyl after it opened in 2019. Image: DLL
DLL statement
Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL, said: "Over the last few weeks, we have received a number of enquiries around the timescale for reopening our SC2 waterpark in Rhyl, and in response would like to share the current position with everyone.
"As you are all aware, the waterpark has been closed since the New Year due to storm damage, which affected the roof of the waterpark. This damage was more extensive than we first thought and it is now looking like we will not be able to open the waterpark for the remainder of the season.
Mr Groves added that the situation was heart-breaking for him and his staff. and that the DLL team is doing everything it can to make sure the water park can open again as soon as possible.
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He added: "It is truly heart-breaking to see another one of our flagship destinations closed due to circumstances outside of our control, especially during the summer months when they would usually be full every day.
"As a local business, we cannot wait to see our much loved waterpark open once more, and we are doing everything we can to ensure the remedial work moves forward as quickly as possible.
"However, the widespread roof damage and limited access we have due to other works taking place, means that at the current time the waterpark cannot open to the public."
Events for the summer
However, DLL stressed that the rest of SC2 was open as usual, with lots of events planned for the summer and beyond this year.
Mr Groves added: "The building remains open, with our Ninja TAG arena and our Adventure Play unaffected by the damage, and those attractions will continue to operate as normal. The damage is contained to above the waterpark, fortunately allowing us to continue running SC2 Ninja TAG sessions, birthday parties and our Adventure Play café with Costa!
"We have extended our TAG sessions, and want to reassure our customers that later in the year, our famous Christmas grotto and Ninja TAG experience will be going ahead as usual, and we cannot wait to welcome you to it!"
The extent of the damage does mean that of on the region's top visitor destinations will be closed during the peak summer months.
Although, no date can be set, the water park will be closed until at least the start of 2025.
Mr Groves added: "We are working very closely with the loss adjusters and specialist surveyors to agree the scope of works, and the position is being reviewed on a weekly basis.
"We appreciate that everyone would like to be given a firm date for reopening, but due to the scale of the works and the lengthy process involved, this is just not possible at the moment, however we can say we will be unable to reopen the waterpark this Summer."
'We will come back stronger'
Mr Groves stressed that everyone at DLL wants the water park to be open, but the situation is out of their control.
He added: Most of those involved have been very understanding of our position, and we hope that this statement helps to clarify the difficult circumstances DLL are facing yet again. The last thing we wanted, as a company, was to be closed during our peak season, especially after the past three years of constant disruption to our business caused by various extreme weather incidents. Sadly, we have already seen many unkind and disingenuous comments on social media, and want to remind everyone that we are a local business who employs a very hard working and committed workforce. We are a large local employer, trying our very best to sustain and grow a business during a very difficult economic climate.
"We are very proud of the fact we offer an exceptional service, and that we have not only survived but grown, while many leisure companies across the UK have suffered badly. So please remember our workforce and their families read comments on social media. Be kind - we are all in this together and we are just as disappointed as our customers that our waterpark is not open this summer. We will continue to provide updates as and when they become available.
"In the meantime, I would like to thank everyone who has provided messages of support, your loyalty and continued custom to Ninja TAG and SC2 Adventure Play are truly appreciated and are important now more than ever. Denbighshire Leisure Ltd remains fully committed to investing in Rhyl, and delivering top quality facilities.
"We remain one of the main local businesses still investing to make Rhyl the destination of choice, and we will in true DLL style, come back much stronger."
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