After originally closing in March 2007 when funding and support for the Centre was withdrawn by North Wiltshire District Council, it was left to residents of the town to work together to reclaim usage of the Centre by the sale of shares in the re-opened Centre and the tireless work of local volunteers and helpers.

Calne’s townsfolk worked tirelessly through the latter half of the year to revamp the Centre - donating time and materials to redecorate and refurbish the Centre’s facilities and appearance.  New equipment was purchased with the help of Council grants and local businesses helped to meet costs with donations and contributions.

The Centre re-opened on January 7th 2008 and is now run as a ‘not for profit' company by a Centre Manager and staff, overseen by a committee of unpaid volunteers made up of local councillors, business people and representatives of local clubs and organisations.  All funds raised in excess of operating costs are re-invested back into the centre itself, ensuring its future viability for Calne and the surrounding areas.

Since it’s re-opening, the Centre now sees an average of over 17,000 visitors a month using its facilities.  With a wide range of activities and facilities on offer it is not only local residents who use the Centre but people from all across the County regularly come to Calne to use the Centre with many users from Chippenham, Melksham and Lyneham using the Centre on a regular basis.

The Centre runs daily swimming lessons for children, has a well-equipped gymnasium, sports hall and climbing wall and is home to a number of sporting and leisure groups as well.

With neighbouring John Bentley School right on their doorstep, the Centre’s facilities are used by both the public and students during weekdays for a wide range of activities with programmes aimed at all age-ranges from babies and toddlers to over-60 sessions.  The Centre also offers a range of popular wet and dry themed birthday parties for children of all ages which are often

The hard work of all of those who helped to re-open the Centre was rewarded when the Centre was voted Best Gym in Wiltshire by Gazette and Herald readers. 

As well as reflecting on its recent success, the Centre is also keen to look to the future and has a number of plans under review which would see the Centre grow and flourish.  One of the first changes is the newly re-launched Splash Café for users to relax in the social area and chill-out whilst watching friends and family members taking part in activities in the Swimming Pool and Sports Hall.

New vending facilities have also now been installed to improve the range of food and drink options available for all ages.

The Centre is open from 7am to 10pm during the week and from 8am on weekends giving everyone a wide choice in what activities they wish to take part in and when they want to do them.

For more information, please call the Centre on 01249 819160.

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