CHRISTIE Miller Sports Centre is to close, with some of the leisure facilities relocated in a bid to save money whilst the new Melksham Health and Wellbeing Centre is built.
The decision to close the sports centre was made by Wiltshire Council’s cabinet last month as part of the business case for the campus.
The report states, “The centre is in an extremely poor state of repair and requires significant investment to ensure its continuity and a safe environment for its users.
“It is highly unlikely that the centre will continue to sustain the delivery of services until the new campus opens in 2021.”
It is estimated that it will cost Wiltshire Council between £30,000 – £90,000 per year over the three year transition period to close the centre and relocate some of the leisure facilities, compared to an estimated cost of £1million to keep the sports centre open for the next three years whilst the campus is built.
The closing date for Christie Miller has not been revealed and it is unclear which of the many services at the centre will be found a new home.
A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said, “Officers are currently looking at possible options in relation to Christie Miller but it’s too early to confirm anything yet.”
Other recommendations made in the campus business case that were given approval were:
• The revised scheme for the Melksham campus (within the allocated budget) that includes a swimming pool, fitness suite, library/community hub, sports hall, squash courts, a GP surgery, outdoor bowls, a cricket pitch, tennis court and a café, and office accommodation.
• The relocation of Young Melksham from its existing location at the Canberra Centre to a new site at King George V Park – subject to a transfer of the trust agreement, so that Canberra can be released as an asset for sale.
• The relocation of the existing Melksham Lunch Club to the Riverside Centre.
According to the timeline that was presented at the Melksham Area Board meeting in October, the next stage of the campus plan will see Wiltshire Council appoint a specialist team to develop detailed designs for the health and wellbeing centre before the end of this month.
Estimated Timeline
• Appoint design team Jan 2018
• Final design concept Feb – April 2018
• Cost plan 1 March – April 2018
• Update surveys Feb – Jun 2018
• Developed design and Planning information April – July 2018
• Cost plan 2 June – July 2018
• Wiltshire review scheme: Final sign-off June – July 2018
• Planning July 2018 – Jan 2019
• OJEU process tender Main contractor Oct 2018 – April 2019
• Review and Award of contract April – June 2019
• Mobilisation period June 2019
• Construction commences July 2019
• 18-month build process Until Jan 21
