Christie Miller Sports Centre to close next month

AFTER nearly a year of speculation, Wiltshire Council has confirmed that Christie Miller Sports Centre will close next month.

The sports centre will close on Friday 19th October. Speaking about the decision to close the sports centre at the Melksham Area Board meeting last night (Wednesday 5th September), Wiltshire Council cabinet member for campuses John Thomson, revealed that it would cost up to £1million to make the building safe for use.

Cllr Thomson disclosed that any money spent on Christie Miller would come out of the budget for the planned community campus, jeopardising the future of the development.

However, despite assurances at the area board meeting in October last year that work was taking place to find alternative provision for the groups, clubs and activities that use the sports centre, no interim plans have been made.

At this week’s meeting cllr Thomson said that now the decision to close Christie Miller has been made public, work can begin to help clubs find alternative provision for their needs.

Cabinet member for campuses John Thomson said, “The cost to maintain the centre and the risks associated to ensure that it is fit for purpose for public use has led to this difficult decision to close the centre prior to the new one being available. The cost to continue with this centre is prohibitive and any investment would have a detrimental impact on the new centre and its facilities as the cost would have to be met from the budget allocated for the new campus.

“While we recognise that this will be inconvenient to users, we are making every effort with Places for People, who run this facility on our behalf, to look at alternative provision in other nearby centres.

“We have always been open that the centre would have to close if it became unsafe and required major investment. Unfortunately, that is now the case and we have no option other than to close.”

The official Wiltshire Council press release said, “A recent inspection of facilities at the sports centre and the adjacent highways depot has confirmed that significant investment of up to £1million over the next three years – with an immediate investment of £350,000 – is required to enable the building to continue to operate and ensure the safety of both staff and centre users and visitors.

“Places for People, that operate the sports centre on behalf of the council, has agreed with Wiltshire Council that the building should close on 19th October and that alternative facilities for members and clubs that use the centre will be re-provided, wherever possible.”