Project info

Overview

Trefoil was proud to contribute to the extensive refurbishment and upgrade of Llantwit Major Leisure Centre, helping to transform an established community facility into a cleaner, safer and more contemporary environment for residents and visitors.

Serving a growing community of approximately 14,500 people, the leisure centre plays an important role in supporting health, fitness and wellbeing across Llantwit Major and the surrounding area. The refurbishment was funded through a combination of Vale of Glamorgan Council, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Sport Wales investment.

The project focused on upgrading key areas throughout the facility, including gym spaces, sports flooring, pool areas, ceilings, environmental systems and internal finishes. Trefoil’s scope centred on delivering durable, attractive and practical finishes capable of meeting the demanding requirements of a busy public leisure environment. The completed works have provided the centre with a refreshed appearance, improved functionality and flooring solutions designed to withstand high levels of daily use.

Design Approach

The design approach combined durability, functionality, aesthetics and sustainability, with material selections carefully considered for a busy leisure environment.

A contemporary palette of light, neutral and contrasting finishes was introduced to create a clean and modern appearance while maintaining a practical specification suitable for commercial use.

Flooring

A significant element of the refurbishment was the removal and reinstatement of existing flooring, together with the installation of new specialist flooring systems. In the gym and weights areas, Gerflor PowerShocK was installed to provide a robust, impact-resistant surface capable of accommodating the demands associated with free weights and heavy gym equipment. Complementary flooring solutions included Polyflor Forest FX and IVC Moduleo 55, providing a combination of visual appeal, durability and ease of maintenance.  

A light grey oak-effect luxury vinyl tile (LVT) finish was incorporated into the design, providing: An authentic wood-grain appearance with a contemporary pale-grey finish. A hard-wearing and water-resistant surface Low-maintenance performance appropriate for commercial environments. Consistent colour and grain variation to achieve a natural yet coordinated appearance The flooring specification was selected to balance the visual character of a modern leisure facility with the practical demands of high footfall and intensive use.

Interior Finishes

The refurbishment was complemented by a number of coordinated interior improvements, including black and white ceiling grids, respraying of the existing corrugated ceiling and full internal decoration. The combination of refreshed ceilings, new finishes and contemporary flooring helped create a consistent visual identity throughout the refurbished spaces.

Challenges

Refurbishing an operational leisure facility presents a number of practical challenges. Works need to be carefully coordinated to minimise disruption while maintaining appropriate standards of
safety, quality and cleanliness.

Llantwit LC

Key considerations for the project included:

Working Within an Existing Facility

The refurbishment involved upgrading existing areas rather than creating a completely new facility. This required works to be coordinated around existing building elements and conditions, including the removal and reinstatement of flooring and the preparation of existing surfaces.

Demanding Leisure Environment

Leisure centres experience significant levels of foot traffic and intensive daily use. Flooring and finishes therefore needed to be sufficiently robust to cope with demanding conditions while remaining visually
appealing and easy to maintain.

Coordination of Multiple Workstreams

The project incorporated flooring, ceilings, decoration and building services improvements, including new air conditioning. Effective sequencing and coordination were therefore essential to ensure that individual trades could complete their work efficiently without compromising subsequent
activities.

Quality and Appearance

As a public-facing community facility, the finished environment needed to provide both practical performance and a high-quality appearance. Particular attention was therefore given to the consistency of flooring finishes, colour schemes and decorative elements.

Scope of Works

Trefoil’s works formed part of the wider refurbishmentprogramme and included:

  • Removal and reinstatement of existing flooring
  • Installation of Gerflor PowerShocK specialist flooring within weights areas
  • Installation of Polyflor Forest FX flooring
  • Installation of IVC Moduleo 55 flooring
  • Installation of light grey oak-effect LVT finishes
  • Installation of black and white ceiling grids
  • New air-conditioning installation
  • Respraying of the existing corrugated ceiling
  • Full internal decoration
  • Coordination of flooring and associated finishing works

The scope was delivered with a focus on creating durable, practical and visually cohesive finishes throughout the refurbished areas.

Construction & Delivery Strategy

The delivery strategy focused on careful planning, coordination and quality control, recognising the requirements of refurbishment within an established leisure environment.

The works were approached as a coordinated refurbishment package, with flooring removal, preparation, installation and finishing activities sequenced alongside the wider construction programme.

Existing flooring was removed where required, allowing the relevant areas to be prepared for the new finishes. Specialist flooring products were then installed according to their intended application, including impact-resistant flooring within the weights areas.

The use of different flooring systems enabled the specification to respond to the requirements of individual spaces rather than applying a single solution throughout the facility.

The wider programme also incorporated ceiling, air-conditioning and decoration works. Coordinating these activities was important in achieving a completed environment in which the flooring, ceilings, services and decorative finishes worked together as a unified design.

Throughout delivery, emphasis was placed on workmanship, finish quality and the long-term suitability of materials for a high-use public facility.

Outcomes

The completed refurbishment has helped deliver a modernised and future-focused leisure environment for the Llantwit Major community.

The project has delivered a number of tangible improvements:

Enhanced Appearance

New flooring, ceiling finishes and internal decoration have significantly refreshed the appearance of the facility, creating a cleaner and more contemporary environment.

Improved Durability

Specialist flooring systems provide surfaces designed for the demanding conditions found within gym and leisure environments, including dedicated impact-resistant flooring in the weights areas.

Practical Maintenance

Hard-wearing, water-resistant and low-maintenance flooring solutions help support the ongoing operation and upkeep of the facility.

Improved User Environment

The combination of upgraded gym areas, refreshed finishes and building-services improvements contributes to a more comfortable, functional and welcoming environment for users.

Sustainability Considerations

The specification incorporated 100% recyclable flooring products, supporting the project’s wider sustainability objectives and demonstrating consideration for the environmental impact of material selection.

Supporting the Local Community

Funded through investment from Vale of Glamorgan Council, the Shared Prosperity Fund and Sport Wales, the refurbishment helps ensure that Llantwit Major Leisure Centre can continue serving its community as an important facility for health, fitness and wellbeing.

A Lasting Community Investment

The transformation of Llantwit Major Leisure Centre demonstrates how a carefully coordinated refurbishment can revitalise an existing community asset without compromising the practical requirements of a busy public facility. Through the combination of specialist gym flooring, contemporary LVT finishes, refreshed ceilings, decoration and building-services improvements, the project has created a more modern, durable and welcoming environment. For Trefoil, the project represents another opportunity to deliver high-quality flooring and interior refurbishment solutions that combine performance, aesthetics and long-term value.

The completed facility provides a refreshed setting for the community and supports the continued role of Llantwit Major Leisure Centre at the heart of local health and wellbeing.

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