Town councillors have welcomed a £1 million investment in Warminster Sports Centre from Wiltshire Council – despite a debate surrounding the removal of the squash courts at the facility.
Wiltshire Council is planning improvements to fitness facilities at some of its leisure centres, with plans moving forward at Warminster Sports Centre in Woodcock Road, as well as at Devizes Leisure Centre and Marlborough Leisure Centre.
Wiltshire Council has a budget of £10 million as part of the rolling programme for investment in leisure centres by the end of 2024, of which £1m has been allocated to Warminster.
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Wiltshire Council said the planned improvements are intended to enhance overall customer experiences and boost local health and wellbeing of communities. Plans include relocating and improving the fitness suite making it more accessible, refurbishing the existing studios, creating a consultation room, and refurbishing the existing fitness suite by converting it into a flexible space for instructor-led classes and events such as meetings and parties.
However, according to Wiltshire Council, for there to be room for the improvements, a decision has been made to permanently remove the squash courts from the centre.
Town councillors discussed the squash court closure at an Extra Ordinary Meeting of Warminster Town Council on Monday 15th April. Members debated the best way forward and following lengthy debate concerns were raised that if the project was delayed, the funding of £1 million may be reallocated.
Data provided by Wiltshire Council demonstrated that the squash courts at the sports centre, a community asset, were averaging around one or two users a day and that more recently one of the courts was being used for other purposes. Proposals to oppose the closure of the squash courts were defeated and, therefore, no further action will be taken.
Wiltshire Council has said that squash facilities are available to use a short distance away at Leighton Recreation Centre and that people will be welcome to use them when the changes are made.
For more information contact Warminster Town Council, Tel: 01985 214847 or email: admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk
Last modified: 17 April 2024
