MORE than 44,000 residents in Trowbridge are being invited to meet the project team and see exciting plans for the town’s proposed £25 million new leisure centre.
As confirmed last year, the council plans to build a new state-of-the-art leisure centre in the heart of Trowbridge town centre on its preferred East Wing site just across the road from County Hall.
Wiltshire Council has outlined a programme of community engagement opportunities, including a survey and drop-in sessions, for people to hear more about the project.
Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Public Health, said: “We’re pleased to be at the stage of the new Trowbridge leisure centre project where we can share more details with the public and get their feedback, which will help inform our design formal planning application.
“This type of due diligence is vital to a project of this scale, and we invite local people to take part in our survey or pop along to one of our events to meet the team and see the plans.
“We want this to be a centre for all ages that will not only be a facility that the local community can be proud of, but to play a vital part in the economic future of our county town.”
The proposed East Wing site was identified as the most favourable option as it is centrally located and has residential areas within reasonable walking and cycling distance.
The site also has good public transport links and provides the opportunity for multi-purpose trips that will help support the town centre.
Wiltshire Council already owns the site, which means that existing leisure facilities at Trowbridge Sports Centre and above Castle Place shopping centre can remain operational while the new facility is being built.
The council is proposing to provide a six-lane, 25-metre swimming pool and a 7m x 13m learner pool, a gym with 120 exercise stations, two fitness studios, an immersive spin studio, a community meeting room and a café.
An adventure play area will provide activities for young people and a Live Well suite a dedicated space for older people to exercise.
Through the UK Leisure Framework, the council has appointed a specialist project team led by development partners Alliance Leisure to develop designs for the centre.
Internal layouts, external designs and landscaping schemes have all been produced. The project team has also undertaken site surveys, a transport assessment, and a sustainability review.
Community engagement drop-in sessions and a survey will give residents and businesses the chance to provide feedback prior to a formal planning application being submitted.
If people would like to share their views, they are encouraged to complete the survey, which will be available from Monday, June 24.
Along with the survey, the drop-in sessions will give people the opportunity to meet the project team and share their feedback as well as hear more about the plans proposed for the new leisure centre.
These will be held at The Shires Shopping Centre on Wednesday, June 26 from 11am-4pm; Castle Place Leisure Centre on June 26 from 5pm–7.30pm; County Hall on Thursday, June 27 from 10.30am–2pm, and at Trowbridge Sports Centre on June 27 from 3pm–8pm.
Once the engagement period is completed, the project team will review the comments and feedback received. This will inform the formal planning submission to ensure the new facility meets the needs of the local area and communities.
Subject to planning permission, it is expected that construction of the new centre will begin in 2025.
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