HUNDREDS of people took full advantage of the facilities at Springfield Campus in Corsham on Saturday as Wiltshire Council hosted an open day to celebrate a year since it first opened its doors.

The all-day event saw the multi-million pound community campus offer free taster sessions to well-wishers in addition to a bouncy castle, access to the newly-opened swimming pool, a large inflatable swim session and the chance to test out the climbing wall.

The library also offered children the chance to bring their favourite characters from Alice in Wonderland to life with Mad Hatter hat-making, White Rabbit fob watch craft, birthday badge making and an Alice in Wonderland character hunt.

The Springfield campus is the first in Wiltshire Council’s countywide programme to provide improved facilities and services to residents and cost an estimated £11m to complete.

Coun John Thomson, who is cabinet member with responsibility for campuses, said: “Springfield is the first of seven community campuses providing improved facilities and services for the local area.

“It is a shining example of what can be achieved when you have a vision and work together with the local community to deliver what’s needed. The campus opened its first phase a year ago and has seen a high level of usage; particularly the new library.”

He added: “The open day was a great opportunity for people to come and see what the campus has to offer and the wide range of facilities, services and community and business opportunities that are available.”

As the first year of its existence has progressed, the campus has seen the unveiling of new facilities and in May this year, the upgraded entrance and reception area opened providing a focal point for customers to access all Wiltshire Council services and Wiltshire Police.

The fitness suite has also attracted hundreds of new customers since opening earlier this month in addition to the newly-refurbished pool.

Alan MacRae, chair of Corsham Area Board and former member of the Corsham Shadow Operations Board, which helped to shape and deliver the campus facilities, said: “I’m delighted our local community helped us mark this first anniversary and the opening of the new facilities.

“The huge success of this campus in its first 12 months is a reflection of the three years of hard work by the council and community volunteers.

"The campus has so much to offer and, now that the gym and swimming pool have opened, I anticipate it will be even more popular and seen as a major asset in the Corsham area.”

For more information, visit www.springfieldcampus.org.uk