The keys for the new state-of-the-art facilities for Melksham’s football and rugby clubs were officially handed over to the clubs on 10 January by Wiltshire Council.
Leader of Wiltshire Council, Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE, deputy leader John Thomson and representatives of both clubs were on site at Woolmore Farm now called Oakfields.
The £7.3m facility includes a 1,773 sq m building featuring separate facilities for each club, with seating overlooking the football pitch. There are 16 football and rugby pitches, a mixture of junior and adult pitches, along with car parking and a new access road and junction.
Wiltshire Council cabinet member for campuses, John Thomson said: “It’s fantastic this wonderful new facility is complete and ready for use. We have committed significant investment into Melksham to deliver this new sports facility, the Market Place re-development, a new skate park and a health and wellbeing centre for the Melksham community. Woolmore Farm is the first phase of this project and the improvements to the Market Place start this month, and work to provide the new skate park will start in April.”
Dave Wiltshire, chairman of Melksham Town Football Club, said: “This brilliant facility will enhance the work we are already doing to make this a superb community football club. We already have nearly 600 players signed on, and we really need this. I’m amazed by how it looks and can’t wait to see it fully used.”
Pat Holtom, chairman of Melksham Rugby Club, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to grow rugby in the town. I’m looking forward to more and more people getting involved including volunteers, parents and of course players. A big thanks must go to everyone who has helped make this a reality.”
Oakfields forms part of Wiltshire Council’s development of a new community health and wellbeing centre in the town, which will be located at the current Melksham House site.
The new centre will provide a number of community facilities in one location including an expanded GP surgery, allowing residents to access local services quickly and conveniently.
– See more at: http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/articles/keys-presented-to-melksham-rugby-and-football-clubs#sthash.Cu7cX5os.dpuf
