'I am worried for our future' swim club chair says

Cranleigh Amateur Swimming Club has been unable to train at its usual pool since January

The chair of a swimming club says he is worried for its future following the temporary closure of the pool where the club normally trains.

Cranleigh Leisure Centre's pool is due to reopen in April, having closed on 14 January due to faulty ceiling tiles.

Andrew Stewart, chair of Cranleigh Amateur Swimming Club, told BBC Radio Surrey that the closure had led to the postponing of a gala planned for March.

A spokesperson from Waverley Borough Council (WBC) said: "We truly value the feedback and concerns from the swimming club and we've made every effort to address them within the constraints we're working with."

Mr Stewart said: "I am worried for our future."

He explained that the postponed March swimming gala had been estimated to bring in £12,500.

"It's how we keep the club solvent," he explained.

Mr Stewart said communications about the repair work and future plans had been "shocking".

"We haven't heard anything from anyone," he added.

Mr Stewart said the biggest problem over the last few years was the financial strain caused by increasing leisure centre fees.

"We've seen a 40% increase in fees that we don't want to pass on to parents in this tough time," he said.

WBC said it had responded to the club's feedback.

The refurbished leisure centre will also have a larger gym, multi-purpose studios, a soft-play area and a cafe, according to the council.

"We are operating in a finite budget and building footprint so we need to strike a balance in meeting the needs of all users of the leisure centre," a spokesperson added.

Everyone Active, the company which runs the leisure centre on behalf of WBC, has been approached for comment.

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