Former Ballarat mayor John Barnes said council bowed to community pressure to re-open the pool in November 1999, despite earlier ruling on its closure due to low attendance. 

At the time Black Hill Community Progress Association (BHCPA) said it would raise money to buy solar panels, which would heat the pool and make the attraction more appealing. 

The council of the day matched the association’s funds to buy the infrastructure and re-opened the pool. 

Mr Barnes said the strong community alliance was pivotal in the council’s decision. 

“Being a councillor I couldn’t help being impressed by the community offer to take responsibility of the pool,” he said. 

The revelation comes as Black Hill residents condemned the City of Ballarat’s August decision to decommission the pool.

A group of about 120 residents met to discuss the future of the neighbourhood asset last Thursday night. 

Resident Leigh Cassidy said the purpose of the meeting was to develop a organised community response to council. 

“We want council to rescind the decision to decommission the Black Hill pool, commit to immediately reinstating infrastructure and (open) the pool for the 2014-2015 season,” he said. 

Mr Cassidy said the council should work with residents to develop an ongoing management model. 

BHCPA president Dr Andrew Dean, who led charge of the 1999 battle to save the pool, also attended the meeting. 

Dr Dean was happy to hand over his association presidency to other Black Hill residents. 

Mr Barnes said the City of Ballarat should find it hard to resist the community’s offer. 

“It would be very hard to resist a community group with the sort of offer that was previously irresistible to council,” he said.

City of Ballarat councillors Samantha McIntosh and Belinda Coates attended Thursday night’s meeting. 

Cr Coates said council had an obligation to reconsider its decision if there was an offer of community support. 

“It also comes down to the a majority vote from councillors,” she said.

“At this stage, I think the community is being cautiously optimistic.”

kara.irving@fairfaxmedia.com.au