For those who have been campaigning for more than eight years, Tuesday night's decision by Nambucca Shire councillors to go ahead with a $550,395 grant application to heat the Macksville Pool was a win in itself.
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Macksville Marlins registrar Lyndel Sutton said she was absolutely thrilled.
"It seems crazy that the application submission is a win but that is how it feels after so long," Lyndel said.
"Our fingers are now crossed for the outcome."
The application is to the NSW Government's Stronger Country Community Fund, of which Nambucca Shire has been allocated $835,776.
Grants officer Teresa Boorer warned competition was tough with the program open to community groups and private organisations as well.
The need to heat the pool was not in question, especially given the heart-felt presentations of multiple sclerosis sufferer Janelle McKay and young athlete Kate Payne.
Ms McKay said she had cancelled her pool membership because swimming in the cold water "was like swimming in broken glass".
"There are many who suffer from diseases and/or disabilities, heating the pool will give us more access to this pain-free form of exercise."
Recovering from knee surgery, Ms Payne said swimming was important for her rehabilitation, as for so many athletes.
It was however the budget impact of an additional $65,000 annually that furrowed brows, especially those of Crs John Ainsworth and Rhonda Hoban.
"Are the figures we have firm or are they only estimates - our budget is already at breaking point.," Cr Ainsworth said.
Assistant General Manger, Corporate Services, Robert Hunt, said there were some firm quotes but $250,000 for electrical costs was an estimate as the job would have to go to tender first.
Cr Ainsworth asked whether the grant could be returned, should the tender responses be higher than expected. Mr Hunt said that was possible.
Cr Hoban said she wanted to remind everyone that if the grant was successful, the extra $65,000 still had to be found : "Either we increase rates or pool charges or reduce other services, such as roads and bridges."
Cr John Wilson said he did not want to see rates increased to fund the pool but he felt the project was achievable. For Cr Janine Reed, the project has always been important and she stood by it.
"This is a very worthy project - I put the pool up there with the libraries as far as community importance goes," she said.
The motion to apply for the full cost of the pool along with a number of smaller projects was passed unanimously.
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Ute Schulenberg
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
