Mixed fortunes for local sports clubs as Christie Miller closes

IT was the end of an era last week as Christie Miller Sports Centre closed its doors for the final time, leaving mixed fortunes for the clubs that used the facilities.

Whilst some clubs have been able to find new homes, others have been forced to close after being unable to find alternative provision in the six-week notice period given by Wiltshire Council about the closure.

Mick Over from the Christie Miller Indoors Bowls Club said, “It (the club) has finished and disbanded – we have all gone our separate ways. We needed around £750,000 to build a new home for the club, and that’s before finding land to put it on. 

“Some members have gone to play in North Wiltshire, some are now playing short mat bowls, and some have been forced to give up the sport completely as they are unable to travel that far.

“It was our 50th anniversary this year – £2,000 had already been spent on the upcoming celebrations – but this won’t be happening now. If we had known about the closure six months ago, we wouldn’t have gone ahead.

“Some members were in tears when the announcement was made at our meeting this month. I feel as sick as a parrot about it. I’ve gone to the North Wilts club but it’s not the same – there’s no real atmosphere.

“Christie Miller was a smashing close-knit club, It’s a crying shame. There are people that won’t ever meet again. There are members that will be contained to their homes now for the winter – the club was their community – we all helped each other. There will be none of that now I’m afraid.”

One club saved from closure is T.A.G.B. Tae Kwon-Do, which had been based at Christie Miller since 1984. Club leader Andy Tombling said, “We have managed to find somewhere else, over the road at the Wiltshire School of Gymnastics. It’s not ideal, but we will have to adapt.

“My concern is about the new centre – all the clubs that have been kicked out of Christie Miller – it is important that we get first dibs on the space. The communication from Wiltshire Council is horrendous. Still to this day the only communication I have had is second-hand through my students – they tend to know more than me!

“After 34 years at Christie Miller I taught my last lesson there last week – it was a very sad day. The staff at the centre have been amazing – some of them are former students of clubs at the centre or used to train there.” 

Wiltshire Council reports that almost 30 leisure classes, clubs and services have been relocated from Christie Miller. They say, “Thirteen exercise classes have been relocated to Melksham Assembly Hall including the specialist active health classes, cardiac phase IV and exercise after stroke, which are vitally important to supporting the health and wellbeing of many customers. The falls class has been relocated to the Scout Hut in Melksham.

“In addition, another 14 other clubs and organisations – ranging from martial arts and badminton to dance and volleyball, have been relocated to other venues and work is ongoing to help support the remaining few classes to find alternative venues.”

Wiltshire Council cabinet member for leisure and communities, John Thomson said, “As soon as we announced the decision to close Christie Miller Sports Centre we have worked with Places for People, who manage the centre on our behalf, to do all we can to support the clubs and members to relocate services and facilities. Melksham does have the Blue Pool located in the town centre which offers a range of services, and we’re pleased that Melksham Assembly Hall has been able to host a significant number of the exercise classes offered.”

With an estimated cost of £1million to make the building safe for use, Wiltshire Council announced the decision to close the sports centre last month.  “Our decision to close the centre wasn’t taken lightly, said cllr Thomson, “and we know there has been some local concern. However, it’s important that we focus on future provision and the new leisure facilities and community services that will be delivered.”