The Batemans Bay Indoor Aquatic Centre Committee has campaigned and fundraised for an indoor pool since 2003, while various other groups have worked to bring about the facility for more than 20 years.

Committee president Carolyn Harding said that while she would like to see the centre come to fruition sooner rather than later, she was pleased the project was still on the council’s agenda.

However, Ms Harding did call for the funds to be “well spent” and hoped the project would progress quickly.

“I am pleased they have allocated more funding because it means they’re still progressing with the aquatic centre,” Ms Harding said.

“If they hadn’t been allocating money, it would indicate to me that they’re just giving up and we can’t do that. The community needs this aquatic centre more than anyone realises.”

The committee is continuing its fundraising efforts to value-add to the pool once it is built.

It has also ramped up its campaigning activities, liaising with Eurobodalla mayor Lindsay Brown, Bega MP Andrew Constance and Eden-Monaro MP Peter Hendy.

It is calling for the wider community to get involved by joining the committee or writing letters of support. 

“We’ve been asking people to write letters with their personal experiences of why they need the pool, saying that they could have used the pool for a certain reason in the past and it wasn’t available or how they’re going to need the pool in the future,” Ms Harding said.

“They could be examples of recovery from operations or particular illnesses or conditions, even of children with autism.

“If anyone wants to write letters they can send it in to me at njharding@bigpond.com or directly to the councillors.”

The next Batemans Bay Indoor Aquatic Centre Committee meeting will be held on June 15 from 2pm at Club Catalina.

All welcome.

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