The board of Calne Leisure Centre is calling on shareholders to back proposals to transfer the centre to Wiltshire Council in a bid to secure its future.

Calne Leisure Centre has been run as an independent not-for-profit community venture since 2008 but now the board is proposing to handover the lease to Wiltshire Council.

The proposal has been put forward to allow major capital investment in the building as part of Wiltshire Council’s £80 million community campus project.

A special general meeting has been called for February 3 to allow shareholders to consider the proposals at 7.30pm at the centre.

Kevin Wells, chairman of Calne Leisure Centre board, said: “If the shareholders give their backing to these proposals the people of Calne will see their leisure centre transformed and improved as part of the council’s county-wide project to develop community campuses.

“The management board believes that backing these exciting proposals will clearly be the right thing to do in order to allow the centre to flourish long-term.”

The facility was previously called the White Horse Leisure Centre and was run by a management company hired by North Wiltshire District Council.

In 2007 Calne Leisure Action Group launched a campaign to save the facility which had been forced to close after being part of the town since 1976.

If the proposals are endorsed by shareholders Wiltshire Council will be responsible for the future management of the centre.

The staff currently working at the centre will transfer their employment to Wiltshire Council.

Mr Wells said: “I suppose the big question will be why go back to the council but I think the district council made a mistake in involving the management company.”

Centre manager Mike Stuart said: “I am immensely proud of how Calne Leisure has developed into one of the most effective centres in the county. Now we have an opportunity that would allow Wiltshire Council to make a substantial investment in the centre and create a facility that would provide new benefits.”

The result of the shareholders’ vote will be made public at 9am on February 4 via the leisure centre website.