The City of Ballarat will vote on re-opening the outdoor venue at its Wednesday night meeting after the local community campaigned strongly against its closure.

In a report to the council, sport and recreation manager Lukas Carey recommends talks begin about a pool management model, with costs to be shared between the council and the Black Hill community. 

However, he also said there would need to be a "significant one-off investment" to make the pool operational for the 2015/16 season.

"In addition...council would continue to engage with the Black Hill community to ensure that the facility is used and taken advantage of," Mr Carey said in his report.

"A detailed level of work is required to consult and engage with the community groups, either charged with running pools or supporting them to ensure long term sustainability and viability for the community."

He said ongoing pool management models, staffing, opening hours, season length, facility development and community involvement all need to be considered.

He also said the reason's for the pool's closure, including decreasing patronage, site repair costs and its proximity to the Brown Hill pool were still valid.

Mr Carey said the council received 349 submissions on its draft aquatic strategy, with 78 per cent wanting the pool to remain open.

Other recommendations to be considered on Wednesday include allocating carry-over funds from the 50 metre pool, which came in significantly under budget.

It is recommended these be used for two $750,000 water play spaces at the Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre and Eureka Pool, that a $550,000 water play space be built in Sebastopol and a $600,000 neighbourhood outdoor pool amenity upgrade fund be set up.

The report also suggests establishing a working group to increase aquatic education and learn to swim programs, and implementing a neighbourhood community empowerment program with Black Hill, Brown Hill and Buninyong to plan for their pools' long term future.

It is also recommended the aquatic strategy emphasis be changed from "rationalising" outdoor pools to "engaging and empowering local communities to collaborate with council". 

Black Hill Progress Association member Polly Walters believed the community's hard work had paid off, but wasn't completely sold on the news.

"I'm just cautious and will wait to see what happens after it's voted on," she said.

Ms Walters said it was council's responsibility to upgrade and maintain the pool.

"We are happy to fundraise, but it's still a council responsibility because they have neglected it for so long."