The Olympiad in Chippenham to undergo refurbishment

The Olympiad Leisure Centre in Monkton Park, Chippenham, has come under criticism in recent years with councillors and residents calling for more investment into the facility.

Now Wiltshire Council has announced the Olympiad will benefit from significant upgrades this July.

The facility's gym will undergo a complete refurbishment, starting on Monday, July 1, which will include full fitness equipment replacements, plus redecoration and the installation of replacement flooring.

The work will see the gym closed to users throughout the project, which is expected to take around four weeks to complete.

READ MORE: Olympiad user claims Chippenham leisure centre in 'decline'

Inside the Olympiad in Chippenham (Image: Wiltshire Council)

There will also be improvements to the exercise studio and cycle studio this summer.

This will involve upgrades to the networking to improve the reliability of the virtual class provision, and immersive lighting will be installed in the main studio. 

The work is part of a wider investment scheme to upgrade Wiltshire’s leisure facilities.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, cabinet member for leisure, believes the renovations will create a “nicer” environment for users.

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He said: “We are investing significantly in our fitness facilities across the county, and we’re pleased to confirm that the Olympiad will be the next centre to benefit from these continued improvements.

“These plans have been developed following feedback from our users and demonstrate our continued commitment to give our residents the opportunity to access well-maintained and fit-for-purpose centres.

“We are keen to encourage people to continue prioritising their physical and mental health and well-being in a more enjoyable environment.

“Whilst the gym closure may cause some disruption and inconvenience to centre users, gym goers will still be able to use our other nearby sites to have their workout.

“We hope that the finished result will provide a much nicer experience for our members and visitors.”

The news comes following renewed calls for upgrades to the Olympiad in April, a year after Cllr Nick Murray advocated for greater investment.

The Olympiad Chippenham (Image: Newsquest)

At the time, regular user Adrian Beeby said: “In the gym which I used two to three times a week, broken equipment is being removed; treadmills bear out-of-order signs and most of the eight television screens have ceased to function.

“There are alternatives to the Olympiad and the longer it takes Wiltshire Council to address the decline of its leisure centre, the more attractive those alternatives appear."

During the gym closure members will be able to access alternative facilities as nearby sites in Corsham, Calne, and Melksham.