Sports clubs will be left without a home if leisure centres close tonight (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Sports clubs will be left without a home if leisure centres close tonight

1:22pm Friday 16th February 2007 in Swindon By Nick Mashiter

With North Wiltshire Leisure Ltd in administration and all six leisure centres expected to close sports clubs will be left without a home.

The Olympiad, Lime Kiln, White Horse, Cricklade, Malmesbury and Springfield are likely to shut tonight after crisis talks this morning.

Tim Magnus, chairman of Wootton Bassett Otters, who use the Lime Kiln Centre, said: "We are happy there is a long term future but it is a small crisis as we have people who train three days a week.

"There is also the Wiltshire County Championships coming up next month and if swimmers aren't training all hope for doing well goes out of the window.

"All the other pools are full and with a month without any training you would lose form rather quick."

Magnus was also concerned with the effect the closures would have on younger swimmers.

He said: "It will also hit the kids who are learning to swim. The whole point of learning is that you repeat it and keep learning, which they wouldn't be able to do."

DC Leisure is due to take over on Friday, March 30 but Magnus is worried about how long the transition will take.

He said: "If they shut for a month what would be left for DC leisure to take over?

"If the pools have to be drained and anything else done, would DC leisure be in a position to open or would it be another month while they get things sorted."