Parents and teachers told the Otago Daily Times the upgraded complex looked great, but after such a long time without a pool, they just wanted to get in and use the new facility.
Clutha United Swim Club committee member Nyree Dickie said swimmers were anxious to start using the pool.
"The competitive swimming season starts in October and we need to start training. The competitive kids haven't been swimming since February. Training has been a big issue for many - from swimmers, to triathletes, and life-savers."
Some club members had used pools at Clydevale, Gore, Milton, and Owaka while they were open.
"We're not happy that it's taking some time, but we also understand why it's not open. It's just a shame, because our programme is the only chance some kids get to swim."
Clutha schools have had free access to council-run swimming pools since 1993.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said many frustrated residents had aired their concerns with him about the delays.
"Quite rightly, the public has come to the end of its tether - and I think it would be a fair expectation to think that after last week's revelation all stops would be pulled out, and the place would be crawling with workers, to get these issues resolved and the pool open."
He said eight months' delay was far too long, and he had expected to see contractors on site to get the issues fixed.
"To go there on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday [yesterday], in the middle of the afternoon, and find no-one there working on the pool disappoints me. These issues will not fix themselves."
The Clutha District Council says unexpected issues were identified during the commissioning phase of the project that had to be resolved by the contractor before the pool could reopen.
Clutha District Council chief executive Charles Hakkaart said the contractor had a list of about 60 items to complete before the council could take possession of the building, including painting and cleaning touch-ups and major issues such as the water heating system, water loss from the new therapeutic pool and completing the commissioning of the boiler and pool water.
Dunedin-based company Lund South Ltd won the $3.5 million contract for the Balclutha pool upgrade last May.
Managing director Russell Lund said there were ongoing mechanical issues with the pool's water circulation, which he hoped would be fixed soon.
He referred all other inquiries to the Clutha District Council.
Last week, the council announced a $400,000 increase in the project budget, taking the total cost from $3.9 million to $4.3 million.
