Melksham Campus plans to be revealed this month

LONG-awaited plans for Melksham Health and Wellbeing Centre – formerly known as the campus – will be revealed to the public at the next area board meeting in less than two weeks.

The project, which came under fire last year when  it was found to be roughly £5million over budget, is likely to reveal new changes that Wiltshire Council has made to the plans.

Members of the area board will be asked to agree which services and facilities will be built as part of the health and wellbeing centre.

The public meeting will take place on Wednesday 24th February from 7pm at Melksham United Church. Refreshments will be available from 6.30pm.

Jonathon Seed, chair of Melksham Area Board said, “We have worked hard with our partners to get to this point and we look forward to speaking to residents about what’s planned.

“We’re determined to provide a centre that will be a focal point for the community for generations to come.”

Building at Melksham House is expected to start later this year after Woolmore Farm is completed.

A ‘wishlist’ was compiled last year of all the facilities that were wanted for the centre. The list included two new swimming pools with seating, a gym,  indoor bowls hall,  community spaces and a large function hall, a library, and catering facilities.

John Thomson, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for health and wellbeing centres, said at the time that the council would aim to provide everything on the list, and that facilities would take priority over the design of the centre.

During the council’s search for more funding, the possibility of including town council offices and a new assembly hall were discussed.

Cllr Thomson said recently, “I encourage local residents to attend this meeting and hear for themselves what their health and wellbeing centre will have to offer.”