​​​​​​​Council confirms more details on its investment in leisure centres

Wiltshire Council is planning improvements to some fitness facilities at some of its leisure centres with plans moving forward at Devizes Leisure Centre, Marlborough Leisure Centre and Warminster Sports Centre.

The planned improvements are intended to enhance overall customer experiences and boost the local health and wellbeing of communities.

Capital funding has been earmarked by Wiltshire Council to make improvements to some of the county's fitness facilities in its leisure centres. The council is deep into the planning stage of looking at the improvements it wants to make to its fitness facilities and establish what's feasible. The capital funding for these improvement works is separate to what has already been allocated to the development of the new leisure centre in Trowbridge, with that project also continuing to gather pace.

The council has taken a detailed look at where to focus this investment, and this is being shaped by analysis, which will ensure the money spent will have the maximum impact.

It is anticipated this investment will help increase leisure memberships, which will have long-term benefits for the health and wellbeing of residents and support the council's finances.

At Devizes Leisure Centre the council will be carrying out a full replacement of the fitness equipment and flooring in the main gym, and a full refurbishment of the activity room to make it fit for purpose as a fitness space.

At Marlborough Leisure Centre plans include improvements and an extension to the fitness suite, and improvements to the wet change area.

Plans at Warminster Leisure Centre include relocating and improving the fitness suite making it much more accessible, refurbishing the existing studios, creating a consultation room, and refurbishing the existing fitness suite by converting it into a flexible space for instructor-led classes and events such as meetings and parties.

For there to be room for the improvements at Warminster the decision has been made to permanently remove the squash courts from the centre. The council is keen for as many people as possible to use the sports centre so it is sustainable and meets the needs of a wide range of the community. There are squash facilities available to use a short distance away at Leighton Recreation Centre that people will be welcome to use when the changes are made.

There are also early plans to make changes at more of the county's leisure centres, and more information will be shared on that in due course.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: We are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities and the strategic approach we're taking will ensure the right facilities and services are in place. 

We are investing to improve and enhance the opportunities we provide and improving access, as we recognise the vital role these services fulfil. In the last two years alone, we've brought all leisure centres under our management, opened the hugely popular Melksham Community Campus, and are making good progress on delivering a new leisure centre for our county town. 

I'm pleased that plans to improve some more of our facilities are making good progress.

In today's financial climate it's now more important than ever that we spend our money wisely to provide a better user experience and improve people's health.