New Pool Closure Hits South London Club Hard

A brand new council pool in South London has been forced to close six weeks after opening, significantly impacting a local swimming club. The Canada Water Leisure Centre, which opened in September, shut its doors on October 13th due to a maintenance issue with its air handling unit. Contractors identified an additional problem during repairs, delaying the pool's safe reopening.

Southwark Aquatics Swimming Club (SASC) reports losing about 10% of its members and is facing a monthly financial deficit of approximately £500. The club's chairman stated that some athletes are struggling to reach alternative venues up to seven miles away, leading to the lowest turnout in over a decade for championship competitions. SASC, run by volunteers, trains swimmers aged eight to 15, many of whom have competed at higher levels.

Southwark Council acknowledged the closure as a setback and emphasized that resident health and safety are paramount. The council is working to resolve the issue and has offered pool members the option to freeze their membership. Despite the main pool closure, other facilities at the new centre, including a sports hall, gym, and learner pool, remain open.