New Campus set to open early next month

THE Melksham Community Campus will open its doors to the public for the first time in early August, Wiltshire Council has announced.

It had previously been expected that the campus would open in the autumn.

The campus will offer a wide range of facilities and services under one roof, including a gym, cycle, and fitness studios, 25m pool and learner pool, sports hall, library, café and meeting space for the community. Melksham Without Parish Council will also be relocating to the campus.

Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for leisure, libraries and public health, cllr Ian Blair-Pilling said, “A new community campus for Melksham has been a long-held ambition and I am delighted it’s nearly ready and that people can soon start enjoying everything it has to offer.”

The campus has been constructed by Pellikaan Construction Ltd, which specialises in the construction of sports and leisure facilities. It has been supported with a grant from Sport England.

The building will be formally handed back to Wiltshire Council in mid-July and then the process will begin to add the finishing touches and get it ready for its opening day next month. An opening date will be confirmed in due course. 

Wiltshire Council has also confirmed that in order to transition to the new building and ensure staff are fully trained, both Melksham Library and Melksham Blue Pool will close for a short period of time until the campus opens in August. 

The dates will be confirmed in due course, but immediately prior to the campus opening, the library will be closed for around two weeks and Blue Pool for around a week. Leisure and library members will be contacted directly about how this affects them. There will also be some FAQs at: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/melksham-community-campus  

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling added, “The campus is a significant investment that demonstrates our commitment to supporting local communities and their physical and mental health and wellbeing. Having these facilities in our communities, all in one location, will enable and inspire people to keep active and get involved with community activities and groups.

“It will also provide a boost to the local economy with jobs created and located right in the heart of the town, which we hope will bring people to the high street. 

“Throughout this project we have engaged with the community, and their feedback has helped tailor it to the community it will serve. This overall project has also contributed to so many improvements throughout the town – a magnificent football and rugby stadium, an improved skate park, and a welcoming and redeveloped Market Place. From helping people to stay active, having a thriving economy, and helping the county have vibrant, well- connected communities, this project helps us deliver on some key missions outlined in our business plan. 

“August can’t come soon enough and we’re looking forward to welcoming people of all ages to show them what’s on offer.” 

Wiltshire Council continues, “The upcoming completion of Melksham Community Campus is a key milestone in the overall strategy of the town, which has seen significant investment in recent years. This includes the opening of Oakfields Football and Rugby facility in 2017, the development of Melksham Market Place in 2017, the provision of a brand-new skate park in 2017, the development of a new cricket pavilion in 2017 and refurbishment of Melksham tennis courts in 2019. In addition, the campus itself will create 40 new jobs. 

“Approval was recently granted to transform Melksham House into a flexible workspace and a multi-purpose area for the community, with work due to start in the next couple of months. 

“Wiltshire Council is also working closely with Melksham Town Council so there is a clear strategy in place for the publicly-owned sites in the town to help ensure any decisions made are in the best interest of the long-term future of the local area and its residents.” 

For more information people should visit: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/melksham-community-campus; or follow the campus’ Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/MelkshamCommunityCampus