TENNIS has returned to the Melksham House site as part of the ongoing redevelopment for the community campus.
The two new courts, situated next to the outdoor bowls club, will be managed by Melksham Tennis Club, who have been given the lease by Wiltshire Council.
Following concern in the town that the courts will be for the club’s use only, both committee members and Wiltshire Council have confirmed that the courts will also be available to the public.
Wiltshire Council cabinet member for communities and leisure, John Thomson, told Melksham News, “It won’t be open to the public for a few weeks as the surface has got to ‘cure’. But it is paid for by public money and it is available to the public as well as the club.
“It is going to be available for the public to use and the club – but it is run by the club, because they are picking up the responsibility for the long-term maintenance of it.”
Melksham Tennis Club’s chair, Tricia Crapnell, who has been a member of the club since 1978, added, “They will be open to the public, but as there are only two courts, it will be difficult. But we want to open them to the public as that is how we will get new members.
“It’s difficult to know how it is going to work – we are still in discussions with Wiltshire Council.”
Both parties told Melksham News that details of how the public will access the courts will be confirmed in the near future.
Melksham Tennis Club left the Melksham House site in September 2017, temporarily moving base to the courts at Rivermead School, whilst they waited for the news on the campus development.
The original grass courts have been replaced by two new macadam courts, which ensures they will be playable throughout the year.
Tricia said, “They are fantastic! They look really good. I’m really pleased, they’ve done a brilliant job – the construction team worked really hard.”
