Waterworld Listing Sparks Dispute but Council Says No Added Costs

Wrexham Council might use Waterworld’s new status. It could get funds usually for listed places. Wrexham.com doesn’t recall local talks about this. The council worked to get Waterworld listed.

The C20 Society says they won after campaigning. They submitted another listing request. This listing has been a debate for ten years. Cadw turned down a request in 2014.

Around that time, Waterworld almost closed. They planned a new center for £12 million. It was just a dream that never happened. Consultants said Waterworld was falling apart.

Now, in 2025, Waterworld still stands. It even got a Grade II listing. The listing appeared on a Cadw database. Wrexham Council gave us their comment.

Cllr. Beverley Parry Jones spoke about it. The council and Freedom Leisure worked with Cadw. They secured the listing for the building. Freedom Leisure runs the leisure services. They are cutting energy across their sites. This has been aided via Sport Wales funding.

The Twentieth Century Society claims victory too. They say it’s the fifth center they’ve listed. This is the first one in Wales. They say their request secured the listing. The council didn’t do it, C20 Society claims.

Wrexham.com asked about budget issues. Could this cause problems, given the building’s age? The council said listing protects structures. It doesn’t mean operations are pricier.

Listing may unlock new possible funding. This funding is only for listed assets.