THE long-promised new leisure centre for Trowbridge has been allocated £25m in Wiltshire Council’s proposed budget.

Trowbridge will finally be getting a new leisure centre as the county council promises £25m for the project over the next three years.

According to its proposed 2022/23 budget it will squirrel away £2m this year, £13m in 2023/24 and £10m 2024/25.

The budget will be debated by full council on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.

Stewart Palmen, leader of the town council said he was pleased to see the unitary authority putting the money aside for the county town.

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“There is £25m allocated over the next few years,” he said.

“This together with Doric Park will help improve the sports and leisure options available to our residents.

“Still not sure of the location or exactly what it will contain but will update as details become available.”

In May this year, the town council made a plea for the county council to finally deliver on its promise of a new leisure centre for the town.

At a meeting of the town council councillors Chris Hoar and Steve Oldrieve said: "As the county town of Wiltshire Trowbridge deserves to have the very best facilities for its residents.

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"We have long campaigned for Wiltshire Council to uphold their end of the bargain.

"Over many years we have consistently campaigned for new leisure facilities for the town including a new swimming pool.”

Trowbridge Leisure Centre recently underwent repair works to the pool’s steel framing to ensure it will be safe for another five years.

The pool was forced to close in 2019 due to the steel frame requiring urgent and emergency repairs.

The prospect of a new leisure centre with a pool and gym was most recently raised by then cabinet member for leisure, Alison Bucknell.

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Leader of the county council, Richard Clewer said, “We are passionate about providing high quality leisure centres and services to our members and the wider community.

“Within the draft budget proposals which have just been published, we have earmarked £25m for a new Trowbridge leisure centre as part of our capital programme which, if agreed, will be spent over the next three financial years.

“The final decisions regarding 2022/23 budget proposals will be discussed, debated and scrutinised at full council on February 15, and should they be agreed we will confirm more details in due course.”

Trowbridge Drynham councillor, Antonio Piazza said: “This was a manifesto promise in May 2020 and something many said was ambitious and difficult to deliver.

“At times, I was in doubt that it could even happen due to the financial implications of Covid; however, I am very happy to see it included in the newest budget at Wiltshire Council.”