APPEAL: Save the Golden Square Pool Committee make themselves heard at the council meeting. Picture: Jodie Donnellan
MEMBERS of the Save Our Golden Square Pool group are confident they can raise the money needed to reopen the pool by December this year.
The City of Greater Bendigo overturned a decision to decommission the pool at Wednesday night’s council meeting on the proviso the group raise the funds to make the pool operable by the start of summer 2013.
The council estimated it would cost about $290,000 to fix the pool. However, Save Our Pool organiser Ken Hamilton said the group expected that figure would be more in the range of $50,000 to $100,000.
“We’re pretty confident it won’t be as much as they’re saying,” he said.
“That was based on a verbal report from a swimming pool company and not an audit.
“We’re going to get Life Saving Victoria to conduct an audit on the pool so we actually know what we’re in for.”
Mr Hamilton said the group would begin to approach local businesses and tradespeople soon.
“Already we have had people come forward,” he said.
“An electrician has already approached us saying he was happy to donate his time, and businesses out of the blue have offered vouchers.”
Mr Hamilton said 60 people had registered as volunteers to help run the pool.
“Everyone can’t wait to get the pool up and running,” he said. “We’d like to thank Elise Chapman for all her work behind the scene and all our supporters for hanging in there and not giving up.”
Council acting chief executive officer Stan Liacos wished the group all the best in its endeavour to open the pool by December 1.
“The Golden Square community has been given an exciting opportunity and while there is a lot of work to do, I’m sure they will work diligently to provide local residents with a place to swim next season,” Mr Liacos said.