Wrexham Waterworld Leisure & Activity Centre

The Wrexham Waterworld Leisure & Activity Centre is a 20th-century leisure centre, demonstrating group value as an example of modernist architectural ambition. The building is diamond-shaped in plan and stands on a plinth of black brick, fabricated from 'Darstone' bricks made in Wrexham. The main body of the building consists of glazed and panelled curtain walls separated by concrete mullions, all sheltered by a concrete shell hyperbolic paraboloid (hypar) roof. This roof covers an area of 154 feet by 154 feet, sloping from 52 feet high at the east and west corners to 52 feet lower at the north and south corners. The roof's weight is supported by 'T' shaped concrete abutment walls at the low corners, connected by concrete tie beams that project beyond the building's envelope to form the first-floor pool level. Freestanding square concrete rainwater catchers are located beyond the low corners.

The east corner features a fully glazed curved section extending from the plinth to the roof, connecting with a clerestory that runs around the entire building. The side walls are of concrete with panelled cladding. Horizontal slit three-pane windows are arranged in a pattern, five on either side of the main glazed section at the first floor level, and three above. Covered porch entrances for staff are incorporated within the plinth on either side of the glazed corner.

The west corner, facing the car park, retains high-level panel glazing linking to the clerestory, though the original pattern of glazing and concrete bands was lost when a stepped extension was added to the reception area in 1997. A sloping area on the southwest side provides vehicle access to the plant room. Four original windows, matching those on the east side, survive, paired on either side of the west corner.

The principal space is the first-floor pool hall, which includes a main pool, a learner’s pool, and a pleasure pool area, originally the diving pool, now divided into a water slide, rapids, and a central jacuzzi. The main pool measures 42 feet wide and 33 1/3 meters long, with shallow ends and a maximum depth in the middle. The hypar roof sweeps low over the learner pool at the north corner and one shallow end of the main pool at the south corner, creating spaces for swimming lessons. The high glazed corners of the roof overlook the former diving area to the east and the spectators’ area to the west, providing a spacious area suitable for large sporting events.

The ground floor contains modernised reception, café, gymnasium, and staff office areas. The plant room is located directly below the learner's pool and extends between and around the original, unaltered concrete basins for the main pool and former diving pool.