'Trowbridge deserves better swimming facilities'

Lyn Elsey, 76, says she “saw red” after hearing that Wiltshire Council is to spend £1 million on improving fitness facilities at three other sports and leisure centres.

The county authority announced last month that it will spend the cash on improving facilities at centres in Devizes, Marlborough and Warminster.

Mrs Elsey, of Hilperton Road, Trowbridge, said: “I'm not usually a moaner but l saw red when l saw the article about upgrading leisure centres in other Wiltshire towns and not the county town of Trowbridge.

“I do wonder that so much money is spent on roads in Trowbridge such as short cycle lanes and widening pavement areas that no one uses when there's plenty of room anyway. No wonder no money is left for sports facilities for the young or elderly.”

Lyn Elsey says Aqua Fit sessions are restricted at the Trowbridge Sports Centre and she has to book sessions elsewhere. Image: Trevor Porter 76936-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Mrs Elsey likes to swim every day to maintain her fitness and mobility but frequently has to book Aqua Fit sessions in pools in nearby towns ten days in advance because none are held at the Trowbridge Sports Centre next to the Clarendon Academy School in Frome Road.

“In order to book Aqua Fit via Wiltshire Leisure we have to book at 6am 10 days in advance so spaces are very limited.

“If you don’t phone by 6am you can’t get a place because it is busy,” said Lyn, who has osteoporosis and is recovering from having broken a leg two years ago."

Mrs Elsey, who worked as Head of the Catering, Hair and Beauty Department at Wiltshire College before retiring at 60, added: “Other towns in Wiltshire, such as Melksham, all have beautiful pools except for Trowbridge."

Lyn Elsey on holiday in 2021. The active pensioner enjoys swimming and likes to keep fit. (Image: Lyn Elsey)

Work on the £25 million new Trowbridge leisure centre earmarked for the East Wing site opposite County Hall is not likely to start until 2025 at the earliest. When finished, it will have a 25-metre six-lane swimming pool plus a smaller learner pool like those in Melksham.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “We try and offer a balanced swimming timetable in all of our council swimming pools, aimed at both meeting the demands of the community and maintaining financial sustainability.

“This means that we aim to offer local groups and individuals balanced timings, including swimming lessons, school swimming, club swimming and public sessions.

“Unfortunately, we are unable to offer Aqua Fit within our current timetable at Trowbridge Sports Centre due to a lack of instructor and pool availability, which is linked to the dual use agreement and other activities. We are very much hoping to be able to offer Aqua Fit in our programme once the new centre opens.

"Our plans to provide a new modern leisure centre for Trowbridge, including a six-lane, 25-metre swimming pool, are making good progress, and we anticipate construction will commence in 2025.

“Our focus with all our investments in our leisure services is the health and wellbeing of the community, making our facilities more accessible and attractive to more people and in turn improving financial sustainability.

“The new leisure centre in Trowbridge will be a fantastic facility, well worth the wait, and while other authorities are closing facilities, we are bucking the national trend and investing in ours.

“We obviously strive to provide an excellent service for our residents and if anyone does have any feedback then we’d welcome them to speak to their centre manager so it can be discussed in more detail.”