The Elmbridge Phoenix
Swimming Club was founded in 1908. Before the Walton-on-Thames Pool
was built in the 1960s, the club held races, river sports and fun
galas in the River Thames. Victoria Cross and sculling races, water
jousting, costume races and Tug-o-war were interspersed with
handicap and scratch swimming Events.
By the early 21
st century the old 33m pool in King's Close was
becoming more expensive to maintain, and the council thought the
land would be better used for housing.
In 2006 the Leisure
Centre at Waterside Drive was rebuilt to include an eight-lane 25m
competition pool and was renamed as the Xcel Leisure Complex. The
club moved into the new centre even before its public opening and
shortly afterwards the old pool was demolished.
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