'Our club kept swimming - despite losing our pool'

"It could've been the perfect time to hang up the goggles," according to mum Claire, whose son, 11-year-old Eli, is an avid swimmer.

Eight months ago, Kimberley Leisure Centre in Nottinghamshire closed after unsuccessful funding negotiations between the local council and the pool's owners.

But despite losing its pool, the Kimberley Swimming Club has managed to stay above water, by hosting sessions at several other leisure centres across the region.

"The team could have said, 'this is too much hassle, maybe this is a natural close for the club', but they fought on with such huge spirit," Claire said.

Eli joined the club in July 2021, while Claire herself swam at the leisure centre during her childhood in the 1980s.

The 52-year-old said "there's really something special about Kimberley", adding the club had a "real sense of belonging".

It is for these reasons that the family stayed, even though there was a risk of the club being disbanded when the pool closed.

Abbie, 32, currently takes her son Charlie to the club's Ilkeston session. She also used to work as a lifeguard at Kimberley Leisure Centre.

She said the hardest part of the site's closure in March was informing her son, because the club was his "only happy place".

The 12-year-old is autistic, which made Abbie worried about how the change would affect him, but remaining with the same kids and coaches made it easier to cope.

The club holds a dedicated session on Fridays for children with special requirements, which Charlie attends.

He was also given an award by the club for his dedication last month, which she said highlighted the strong community spirit that persevered.

The chairman of the swimming club, Alan Pink, said he was inspired by the children's love of the club to keep it going.

"They all wanted the club to continue, and on a personal point, I've had a tough year, and basically the swimming club has saved me," he said.

Alan's son Daniel took his own life in October last year, aged 31.

He said he used his love for his son as motivation for his work at the club, which he said was part of why it had such a "family" feel.

There are currently sessions held at William Gregg VC Leisure Centre in Heanor three times a week, on Wednesday evenings, Saturday mornings, and Sunday afternoons.

Meanwhile, the club also holds sessions at Ken Martin Leisure Centre on Mondays, Harvey Haddon Sports Village on Thursdays, and Victoria Park Leisure Centre in Ilkeston on Fridays.

It was also crowned East Midlands regional swim club of the year in the latest awards run by governing body Swim England.

Alan added: "We got it basically for keeping the club alive for the community. It's really a sense of pride."

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