Urgent work is under way to try to secure the future of Melbourn Sports Centre after its operator went into liquidation.
The centre, which is located in the grounds of the Melbourn Village College, shut unexpectedly on 26 April when the operators, Be Active Melbourn Ltd, announced they were closing down with immediate effect.
All weekend bookings, including the use of the artificial football pitch and swimming pool, were cancelled and the facilities remain closed to the public for the immediate future for safety and legal reasons.
Melbourn Village College and The Cam Academy Trust, the multi-academy trust that oversees the college, said they are committed to exploring alternative solutions for the future of the centre in a statement released following the sudden closure.
A trust spokesperson said: “We are really disappointed that Be Active Melbourn Ltd have ceased trading and gone into liquidation.
“We understand this news will be equally upsetting to all other users of the sports centre facilities.
“We are committed to exploring alternative solutions for the local sporting community.”
Melbourn resident Clive Porter praised the centre’s dedicated staff, adding that it was “extremely sad” to witness the sudden closure.
“Ever since the automatic entrance door at the Melbourn Hub opened unexpectedly, sweeping me to the floor and breaking my hip over three years ago, while I was halted at a Covid checkpoint just inside the building, I have been using the gym facilities in an attempt to help strengthen the muscles in my leg,” he said.
“Graham [the manager] has been extremely sympathetic and patient in giving me one-to-one exercise on the various apparatus facilities available there, and neither he or his fellow colleagues deserve this sort of treatment.”
A statement from Be Active Melbourn Ltd said it had ceased trading and “will be going into liquidation shortly”.
A statement by the centre’s staff added: “This facility has served Melbourn and surrounds since 1991 and has been a valued, well supported part of the community. We are so sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
They added: “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with and teach you and your families.”
Anyone with pre-paid bookings should contact Ben Dyer at PEM on 01223 728222.
