Corwen Leisure Centre to be renamed in tribute to popular councillor

An extensively refurbished Corwen Leisure Centre will reopen after lockdown with a brand new name in honour of much-loved Councillor, Huw ‘Chick’ Jones.

Denbighshire Leisure Ltd and the Council are proud to announce the renaming of Corwen Leisure Centre to Canolfan Hamdden Huw Jones, in tribute for the popular local and County Councillor who sadly passed away in February 2020.

The exciting refurbishment of Corwen Leisure Centre, delivered in partnership with the Council, is now complete and includes a new pool hall, changing areas, viewing area and new state-of-the-art fitness equipment.

Councillor Jones was a very well respected, hard-working Councillor, who was involved in many, community groups and projects in his home town of Corwen. He also acted as the Council’s Lead Member for Leisure from 2013 until 2017 and had a strong belief in the importance of leisure and its effect on improving health and wellbeing.

During Councillor Jones’ time as Lead Member, the focus on leisure within Denbighshire was rapidly growing, and he played an important role in the development of Denbighshire Leisure Services, from a small County Council Service into a busy, thriving Company.

Huw’s personal passions and interests centred around sport, particularly football. He will be perhaps be most remembered in Corwen for his work with Corwen Football Club and was committed to developing girls and women’s football in the area.

Jamie Groves, Managing Direct of Denbighshire Leisure said “Huw was a popular, kind and trusted man, who wanted the best for everyone in his community and his county. When he was appointed as Lead Member for Leisure, we were beginning a journey with many challenges ahead of us. Without Huw’s commitment and loyalty, many of the achievements we realised would have otherwise been impossible. From my personal point of view, his enthusiasm and his unwavering support will never be forgotten. We feel this is a very fitting tribute for the many years Huw devoted to his local community and his County.”

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Lead Member for Well-being and Independence at the Council, said: “When Huw sadly passed away, his fellow Councillors lost a loyal friend and colleague and his community lost a trusted councillor, who served his residents with integrity and to the absolute best of his ability. Huw had a wide variety of interests and was passionate about many local projects, but sport and leisure was something very close to his heart. We feel renaming Corwen Leisure Centre in his memory, is a very fitting tribute for the many years Huw devoted to his local community.”

The first floor fitness space in Canolfan Hamdden Huw Jones has also been refurbished with a range of new first-class functional equipment installed. This refurbishment will ensure that Corwen residents have the same exceptional standard of equipment that Denbighshire Leisure provides to all its members across the county at all 7 leisure centres.

This project follows on from other recent installations and refurbishments in the Dee valley, including a 3G pitch and new state of art fitness facilities in both Corwen and Llangollen.

Canolfan Hamdden Huw Jones will reopen for members and the public once the current Welsh Government guidelines allow.

If you would like to know more about Leisure Services and what they offer, please visit their website.