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The Melksham Town Mayor, Adrienne Westbrook (pictured above), was on hand recently to help celebrate the start of the building works for a new Splashpad in King George V Playing Fields.

In the planning since 2016, the much awaited waterplay facility will be ready in time for the summer break this year. The Splashpad is the new focal point of the facilities provided at the park and leads the way for the start of a much wider improvement programme.

“We are extremely proud to be bringing this facility to the people of Melksham,” said Adrienne. “They deserve to have first rate facilities on their doorsteps. We also very much hope that this will be something that will draw people to Melksham and once here they will realise what a great town we have.”

Included in the improvements for this summer are the addition of a trim trail, a community sensory garden and a new length of accessible pathway and improved access to the pavilion building which currently provide toilets for the park users.

Proposals for future improvements include an all-new play area located next to the Splashpad, an adventure area, café, sports area and a nature area.

Melksham Town Council are keen to acknowledge the funding they have received for the Splashpad from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and local Solar Farm monies that has enabled them to deliver these exciting plans. Community Engagement Officer Debbie Bentley said, “It is an exciting time for the people of Melksham and its council. To be able to come together to improve the facilities for the town doesn’t happen every day. I very much look forward to working with the wider community on not only the Sensory Garden which launches at the end of May, but on all the remaining improvements too.”