CORSHAM Amateur Swimming Club is struggling to keep afloat following the delay in a pool being built at Springfield Community Campus.

Nearly a year since their old one at Springfield Leisure Centre was demolished to make way for the new campus, which opened in August, they are still without somewhere to train.

Initially they were told they would have to wait 16 weeks for the new one to open last October, however swimmers at the club are disappointed with the lengthy wait, with some having to learn elsewhere or join other clubs, putting a huge strain on the club's membership and finances.

Chairman Konrad Adams said: “The uncertainty over the reopening time of Springfield, and the number of times this has been moved back, has been frustrating, to say the least.

“Membership renewals are down by almost one-third from last year, although it could have been a lot worse.”

Mr Adams has praised the resilience and loyalty of the 200 members, parents and coaches who have stuck with the volunteer-run club throughout, but says competitive swimmers are not making the improvements they should be.

In the meantime the club, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year and has Paralympian medallist Stephanie Millward as a past member, has to pay to use private pools and travel to Calne, Colerne, Chippenham and Stonar School so they can practise.

At the club’s annual general meeting in November, Penny Bell, community engagement officer for Wiltshire Council, told them the delay was due to additional work needing to be done which was not identified until the building commenced.

The pool along with wet changing facilities, health and gym with spin studio should be finished by the summer, according to Wiltshire Council.

Corsham Town Council recently awarded a grant to the club of £2,000 to help relieve the strain the pool closure is having on the club’s membership and finances.

When the money was given in January, Coun Peter Anstey, chairman of the town council’s finance and general purposes committee, said: “The town council is a firm supporter of Corsham ASC and obviously wants them to succeed so we are pleased to be able to help in what is a very difficult situation for them.”