Cr Burnside suggested that committee members look to their neighbours for inspiration and find a wealthy benefactor to finance the project. 

“I’m fully in support of their efforts and will encourage them in their endeavours,” Cr Burnside said. 

“I might also be able to assist them in the process that was undertaken in Narooma to achieve their facility.” 

Cr Burnside said Narooma Pool was originally built for less than $250,000 with the support of the community. 

“The Narooma Pool got off to a great start in the early 1960s when local retirees, Ted and Daisy Street, of Streets Ice Cream fame, made an incredible donation to the project of 10,000 pounds,” he said. 

“The Narooma Swimming Club and later the Hydrotherapy Club took out loans and continued to fundraise to achieve their goals.”

The Narooma community continued with its push to transform the pool to an indoor facility and set about raising more money.

State and federal government chipped in $217,000 and the council $127,000, however they made up less than half the final cost and the people of Narooma paid for the rest.

Overall Cr Burnside estimates $1.5 million was spent in today’s standards to fund Narooma’s pool across its 50-year history. 

“I encourage Batemans Bay pool proponents to continue with their goal, aim for a meaningful local contribution and so as Narooma Pool committee members did,” he said.

“Talk to your federal, state and local government people and if you can find a benefactor in the form of Ted and Daisy Street that would help too.”