Pool committee president Rebecca Harper says the idea for a public pool in Nabiac first began among a group of women around 25 years ago. 

With the expectation that if they raised the money a pool would be forthcoming, they embarked upon a fundraising exercise that has lasted over two decades and involved local Food and Wine Festivals, fundraising drives, spreading across to a Nabiac Community Op Shop, which up until recently donated all funds raised to the pool coffers. 

 “Fundraising and applying for grants took a long time, with the pool committee needing to match any grant money dollar for dollar,” said Wendy Weller, a former long term committee member and president. 

Three grants turned their fortunes around. In 2005 they received $18 000 from the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation, then in 2007 and 2008 they received $65 000 from the Department of Health and Ageing, and most importantly $135 000 from a federal pre-election commitment facilitated by local labor candidate Jim Arneman. This went towards the building of the amenities block to lock up stage, propped up by pool funds. 

The committee entered into discussions with Azure Pools, and plans were sent to Great Lakes Council for a construction certificate. The application then stalled. The sticking point surrounded the future running costs of the pool, identified as costing up to $100 000 a year. 

Although council was not building the pool itself, they would eventually be responsible for its upkeep. 

In 2012, Great Lakes councillors voted to defer any decision on future funding allocation until the following financial year, as it believed costs should be shared with Greater Taree City Council (GTCC) because sections of Nabiac come under its jurisdiction. However one month later, GTCC voted not to contribute to the pool’s upkeep due to its own financial commitments. 

According to committee members, the main obstacle was a plan to build two pool areas, which would necessitate a lifeguard on duty. Whilst the pool committee believed volunteers would fill this role, this did not satisfy council who were further concerned a paid lifeguard would raise the costs of the pool’s management substantially. 

“We were at a stalemate” said Ms Weller. 

Compounding the issue were rumours that Council did not believe Nabiac would ever have a pool, despite facilitating the grants and land ownership on its behalf. 

“I think a lot of us were ready to pull the pin and walk away,” said Wendy.

But in 2012 the first of many meetings on site was held with various community and council members, including Council’s general manager Glenn Handford. The meeting was a turning point, with the committee agreeing to alter plans to include one pool instead of two, and turn the second pool into a wet play area for toddlers. 

 With the construction certificate finally in their hands, digging began last May. A false start to an opening just before Christmas for insurance reasons teased onlookers over summer, but Great Lakes Council kicked in with some financial assistance early. Everything is now looking on track for some quick swims before the pool has to shut for the colder months, from Anzac Day onwards.

As for the pool committee members, the prevailing sentiment is one of relief. It certainly reinforces the lesson that good things do actually come to those who wait.