HALF a century after being built as a swimming pool, a Denbighshire leisure centre is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

On March 29, Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL) will be celebrating 50 years of the Canolfan Hamdden Huw Jones leisure site in Corwen.

Originally built as a swimming pool, the facility opened in March, 1974, following a campaign by then Councillor William Roberts.

Councillor Roberts was adamant that the town needed somewhere for local children to learn to swim, after two tragic drowning incidents occurred in the nearby River Dee.

The leisure centre, managed for many years by Cllr Roberts’ son Adrian, was extended by Denbighshire Council’s Leisure Services (Now DLL) to include squash courts, a fitness suite and an outdoor 3G pitch.

In 2020, the facility became part of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, who have continued to invest in this popular local facility, refurbishing the facility throughout, including pool hall, circulation areas, a new functional training area with sector leading equipment from the Technogym Skill Range; as well as the addition of a new studio area for group exercise classes.

In 2021, Corwen Leisure Centre was renamed Canolfan Hamdden Huw Jones, in tribute to another popular and well respected local and County Councillor, who sadly passed away in 2020.

Huw Jones was dedicated to the Corwen community and as Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Leisure played a very important role in improving and developing leisure across the county.

Canolfan Hamdden Huw Jones now boasts a 20m swimming pool, a fitness suite which includes a range of Technogym's Excite Cardio equipment, and Tanita total body analyser, first floor functional training space, glass fronted squash court, functional studio, and outdoor pitch with 3G surface.

DLL Managing Director, Jamie Groves said: “We are exceptionally proud of Canolfan Hamdden Huw Jones and the service it offers today. Looking back across 50 years, the facility has seen many developments and improvements, and now offers a first class leisure provision to residents and visitors to Corwen. The site has a reputation for offering a friendly, professional service and this is reflected in the many fantastic testimonials we receive from our members.”

Councillor Alan Hughes added: “Denbighshire County Council are delighted to see Canolfan Hamdden Huw Jones reach such a fabulous milestone, and the site continues to be a hugely important asset to the town of Corwen and surrounding neighbourhoods.

"Although they now deliver a wide variety of leisure activities, the team on site still work incredibly hard to deliver a very comprehensive swimming lesson programme, and I am sure Cllr William Roberts would be very proud of their success.”