What specifically indicates a corrupt template to you?
Does the template itself (when Opened directly) corrupt, or just many
document based on the template are corrupting. In my experience it is usually
the addition of new content that corrupts the document not the template.

Here are some standard tips to solve corrupt documents.
1. Open and Repair, in the File Open dialog, there is a downward-pointing
arrow on the right end of the Open button. After choosing the file, click
that arrow to get a small menu. Click "Open and Repair" in that menu.
2. Copying all but the last paragraph mark into a new document.
3. Open new blank file; Insert, File.
4. If these doesn't work, try opening the document in WordPad.
5. If all else fails, go back to the Open dialog in Word and set the "Files
of type" box to "Recover Text from Any File". You'll get a lot of garbage,
but some or all of the text should be there.
Have a look here: http://word.mvps.org/faqs/apperrors/corruptdoc.htm
http://www.gmayor.com/what_to_do_when_word_crashes.htm then

Hope these help
DeanH