Swimming club might go under

From the archive, first published Wednesday 25th Apr 2007.

A POPULAR swimming club could be forced to close because a pool closed due to an asbestos scare has not reopened.

Chairman of Canvey Swimming Club, Paul Drake, says the organisation is rapidly losing money since the closure of the swimming pool at Waterside Farm in January.

Waterside was closed after high winds uncovered asbestos in the roof. This has meant the group has been forced to use other facilities such as Furtherwick Park School, Canvey, and Belfairs School, Leigh, paying higher fees for short-term use.

Mr Drake, 41, said: "It is a big problem. We are paying more for the use of the other places because they are short-term bookings, and it is eating up all our spare cash. We are struggling financially."

Mr Drake says membership is also falling. He said: "Parents don't want to travel to other pools and we have not got members because they are fed up with the moving around.

"We still have wages to pay for coaches and teaching staff."

Castle Point Council is adamant the situation at Waterside Farm is being worked on and negotiations are ongoing with the insurance assessors.

Meanwhile, time is running out for the club, which has around 150 members aged from just four. Mr Drake added: "We can only look at it month to month, but if any more people go then we our outgoings will be more than our income. The council says it wants kids off the streets but, this is putting them back there."

David Marchant, chief executive of Castle Point Council, said: "We are negotiating with the insurance company about trying to bring about the repairs as quickly as possible, those are progressing well."