THE final chapter at the Pewsey Leisure Centre and Pool has been written after it closed its doors for good on Sunday (February 19).

After half a century of service to the community, the centre, which will be demolished later this month, went out with a bang as they held a free swimming session from 1-3pm as well as free use soft play area, badminton and squash courts, from 9am.

Rewind 50 years, and the landscape looked very different. In the 1960's, a wealthy Oare man said he would put forward £34,000 of his own money to build an open-air swimming pool in Pewsey, so long as the villagers came up with the other £34,000.

Weekly collections around the village went on to raise the required funds and by 1967 their dream became a reality as the pool was finally built.

More funds were raised in the 1970's to secure the pool a roof and later in the decade, much of the centre, including a sports hall and fitness centre, that stands today was constructed.

Some of the pivotal people who ran the club included Geoffrey Kunkler, Brian Draper, Ernie Streeting and Brian Yeomans. Mr Kunkler in particular, personally taught more than 5,000 children to swim at the centre in his many years there.

"I think everyone should be proud of what the pool accomplished and how many people made the most of it for one shilling each," said his son, Wiltshire councillor Jerry Kunkler.

"It was my late father's baby really. He went onto become superintendent of the pool, teaching more than 5,000 kids over many years there. Many will be sad to see it go but the new building will be much more efficient and modern.

"It is the end of a very special era for Pewsey but there is an exciting future ahead."

That future begins in the place of the old centre in the summer of 2018 with the opening of the new Vale Health and Wellbeing Centre.

This will include a brand new four lane 25-metre swimming pool as well as a fitness suite, cafe, community space and a range of other leisure facilities for skateboarders, scooters and BMXers.

Duty officer Paula McGrory said: “I have worked here for 24 years, so I have mixed emotions about it closing down. For many they will be sad to see it go but having a brand new facility is something to look forward to.

“I have loved working here over the years, being with the customers and seeing how it has all changed. It has served the community very well."

A temporary gym is now being used at the Fordbrook industrial estate, Marlborough Road, until the centre reopens.