ALMOST 30 leisure classes, clubs and services have been found new homes after Melksham’s Christie Miller Sports Centre closed its doors for the last time on Friday October 19.

Wiltshire Council and sports centre operator Places for People have done their best to ensure that local people can continue to access leisure activities and facilities.

However there are some sports clubs - such as 5-a side football and netball - which say they are still in limbo because they have nowhere to play.

They are urging Wiltshire Council to provide a temporary dome structure near the Oakfields stadium.

Susan Mortimer, Melksham Walking Netball host, said: “The dome could be up and running and earning the council money within 2-3 months.

“The dome would be used by all walking sport clubs, 5-a side football clubs, badminton clubs and many more.

“Without it, I fear many of these clubs will cease to exist in Melksham, which would be a great shame.”

Cllr John Thomson, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for leisure and communities, said: 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.

“Our decision to close the centre wasn’t taken lightly 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.“Melksham does have the Blue Pool, 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.”

Thirteen exercise classes have been moved to Melksham Assembly Hall including the specialist active health classes, Cardiac Phase IV and Exercise after Stroke. The Falls class is now held at the Scout Hut in Melksham.

14 clubs and organisations - from martial arts and badminton to dance and volleyball - have moved to other venues. Work is ongoing to help the remaining few classes find alternative venues.

Former users of the Christie Miller Sports Centre are able to use facilities located nearby including Melksham Blue Pool, which offers swimming and a fitness suite.

The Blue Pool fitness suite has recently been refurbished to include a new area for functional training, flooring, layout, and resistance and cardio vascular equipment.

Alternative facilities are also available in Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge, Chippenham and Corsham.

All users with membership at Christie Miller Sports Centre will automatically have this membership transferred to Melksham Blue Pool facilities.

Melksham will benefit from a wide range of exciting new sports facilities as part of the community campus project, which is expected to open in 2021.

The decision to close Christie Miller Sports Centre followed an inspection that confirmed a £1 million investment would be needed for the building to remain open and be safe for uses. Any money allocated to work at the centre would be allocated from funding earmarked for the new campus.

Over the past 18 months, the first phase of the campus programme has been completed with almost £10 million invested so far, including the Oakfield sports stadium, the £660,000 Market Place revamp, the provision of a new outdoor skate park at King George V playing field and a new £300,000 cricket pavilion.

The Indoor Bowls Club will continue to receive support from the council and £150,000 has been allocated as part of the £23 million campus budget to assist with a new facility.

If people want information on the leisure facilities in the Melksham area and beyond they should visit http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure.