MELKSHAM Town Council’s project to explore the possibility of re-designing the existing Assembly Hall building has been pushed back again following another delay to the campus project.
In 2017 the town council launched a feasibility study inviting the community to share their ideas on how the Assembly Hall could be improved to increase enjoyment of the town’s asset.
However, the project was put on hold in 2018 as it could not move forward until the Blue Pool building is demolished, as part of the final stage of the campus project, which in late 2018 was scheduled to be early 2021.
However, following the announcement by Wiltshire Council that construction work has been pushed back to early 2021 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the town council’s project has been pushed even further back.
Economic development manager for the town council, David McKnight, told Melksham News, “The campus news impacts the Blue Pool, which impacts the Assembly Hall – we don’t know how we can move forward, or when we can move forward, until it is clear what is happening with the campus.”
Some of the ideas suggested for the hall’s future by residents at a public meeting in December 2017 included more natural lighting in the foyer and the hall; a new family area with play equipment; a new stage, retractable seating and a balcony area.
