Wrexham Waterworld (known previously as Wrexham Swimming Pool and the New Wrexham Baths) was designed by the Williamson Partnership (previously known as F. D. Williamson and Associates) in 1965-67. The practice, based in Porthcawl, designed a number of other public buildings in Wales, including the Grade II* listed Margam Crematorium and the National Sports Centre in Cardiff. Other sports facilities designed by the practice include centres in Bracknell and Aberavon. It came about as part of a UK wide development of municipal leisure centres between the 1960s and 1980s, prompted by the 1960 Wolfenden report 'Sport and Community' commissioned by the Central Council for Recreative Physical Training. The report recommended that Local Authorities provided indoor sporting facilities and led to the establishment of the Sports Council in 1965 and a new wave of leisure centres. As such, the Wrexham Swimming baths were amoungst the earliest of this new wave. 

The external elevations are dominated by a hyperbolic paraboloid roof, covering an area of approximately 50x50m beneath. The roof is formed in pre-cast and reinforced concrete, supported at its two low corners on abutment walls. Thin, concrete shell roofs attained popularity in the post-war years due to the rationing of steel, as the shape, rather than the materiality, providing strength. Most shell roof constructions were simple barrel vaults, but there was an intense moment of experimentation in the 1960s, leading to a number of hyperbolic paraboloid shells. The Wrexham Waterworld roof was the first application of the structure in Wales. An appreciation in the Swimming Pool Review noted that the roof gave the building ‘the most attractive and striking external appearance.’

The south-eastern corner constitutes the main face of the building, viewable by cars approaching from the main road. This corner features a large, curved wall of glazing above the ground floor. This band of glazing was expanded in the 1970s, enhancing the dramatic appeal of the façade. The glazing provides a view of the pool’s flumes (originally diving boards). Connected to this façade, a band of glazing runs around the entire building under the roof line – as originally designed – giving the striking impression of a floating roof. The footprint of the building was expanded in 1997 with an extension to the entrance.

The shape of the roof results in the drastic variation in height across the building – from four storeys in opposite corners, down to two storeys in the centre. This height difference is reflected in the intended activities of each area, with the flumed leisure pool (formerly the diving pool) at the highest point and the training pool at the lowest. Changing rooms, a cafeteria, a health suite and other spaces are accommodated on the entrance side. Other ancillary rooms and offices are housed in the sweeping ends of the roof.

The interior has been altered by renovations in 1997 and 2017. Despite some infilling under the roof, the constituent spaces have remained broadly the same, and the roof remains the dominant feature, rising and falling dramatically above the pools. The narrow band of glazing running underneath the roof remains as originally designed, providing top-level lighting.

S Fielding RCAHMW January 2025

Refs:

Adler, F. and Lusher J.K. ‘The analysis and design of Wrexham swimming pool shell roof.’ Proceedings of the International Congress on the Application of Shells in Architecture (1967).

‘Going with a Splash: Ten of the Best Pools Nationwide.’ The Times (12 August 2006), p. 37.

‘Wrexham Swimming Pool.’ Swimming Pool Review 11 (June 1970), p. 153-165.