Building work is progressing well on a new modern pavilion which will be built to Sport England standards on the field next to Christie Miller. It is set to open in late April with local groups already expressing an interest in using the facility. It will have four changing rooms with wash facilities, two changing rooms for officials with space for community groups and a kitchen area.
The new pavilion is being built as it was a condition of the planning application for the new Herman Miller development on the old running track behind Christie Miller. As part of that building work they have had to build a link road extending from Portal Way to connect to Lancaster Road at the Westinghouse Way roundabout in Bowerhill. In order for this to be constructed it has to take a strip of land across the north edge of the sports field, which was safeguarded and is now owned and maintained by Melksham Without Parish Council.
The new road will cut through where the existing pavilion, built in the 1940s sits. Herman Miller will knock the old pavilion down after the new modern facility is ready.
It is hoped the new pavilion will be in use from the 17th April, with the new link road expected to be open and in use in June.
Melksham Without Parish Council chair Richard Wood said, “It is great news for Bowerhill and for the many people that use the field. The new facility will be the culmination of many years of hard work by Melksham; first to protect the field from development and then to develop excellent facilities for local people. We look forward to the opening ceremony in April!”
Melksham Without Parish clerk Teresa Strange said, “Currently AFC Melksham, Evana Designs and Melksham Town Youth use the facilities and the pavilion will allow even more in the area to benefit. There will be a community space that can be used by groups and we hope that a Bowerhill Youth Group can be reinstated.”
This new facility is also available for hire by local sports clubs and community groups using the field.
