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The roof installation is underway.
The new Trowbridge leisure centre has taken another big step forward, with installation of its distinctive roof now underway, marking significant progress towards creating a landmark facility that will transform leisure provision for the town.
The roofing work, which began in December, is more than just a structural feature; it’s a design statement that pays homage to Trowbridge’s rich industrial heritage. During the Industrial Revolution, Trowbridge was renowned for its thriving textile industry, with woollen cloth mills, such as the Grade II listed Home Mills (now Trowbridge Museum), dominating the townscape.
These historic mill buildings were characterised by their strong, simple, rectangular shapes, stone and brick walls, and iconic pitched roofs, all of which combined to give the town its unique character.
The new leisure centre draws inspiration from this legacy. Its roof design incorporates a series of elegant, pitched sections, echoing the simplicity and geometry of the old mills while reinterpreting them in a contemporary style. This creates a building that feels connected to Trowbridge’s past while offering a bright, modern and welcoming space for today’s community.
The Bythesea Road elevation, facing County Hall, in particular will showcase this industrial aesthetic, combining the traditional mill-inspired roofline with large glass panels to create the openness and vibrancy essential for a leisure hub.
This design philosophy reflects a wider trend in Trowbridge, where new developments are embracing the town’s industrial character to create a cohesive and visually connected environment. For example, the nearby M&S Foodhall uses similar pitched roof forms in a contemporary style, ensuring that new buildings complement the town’s historic identity rather than compete with it. By adopting this shared aesthetic, Trowbridge is successfully blending heritage with modernity, creating a unified townscape that celebrates its past while supporting future growth.
With the flooring and roof deck installation underway, external cladding and glazing will also soon start to transform the site visually. Once the structure is secure, work will move inside to install mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, build internal walls, lay flooring, and add specialist leisure finishes and equipment. Following this, attention will turn to pool installation and testing, external landscaping, and final commissioning before handover.
The new centre is scheduled to open by the end of 2026 and forms part of Wiltshire Council’s commitment to investing in high-quality leisure facilities that promote health and wellbeing as part of the Our Wiltshire Plan.
For more information and updates on the project, visit: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure-trowbridge
Alongside the leisure centre work, the council is continuing its essential upgrades to Trowbridge’s Longfield Gyratory to improve traffic flow, enhance pedestrian safety, and support the new leisure centre development. Key milestones, including strengthening Cradle Bridge and upgrading the Tesco junction, are now complete, with phased works now under way to widen roads and install new traffic signals. Temporary lane closures and diversions will remain in place through early 2026, with pedestrian access maintained throughout.