BUILT in 1973 and opened in 1975, the Glenthompson pool was a direct response at the time to a community need for the asset along with the local school needing a better option for childrens’ swimming lessons.

Former pool committee member, Russell Mitchell said he remembered the time well and said his father was president of the committee then.

“The community just felt ‘Oh, it’s a good opportunity to build a pool’,” he said.

“There was a site there donated to the community, and for many years, the fundraising (with) events and eventually, they had enough money to build it.

“There was one of those big thermometer things in the middle of town. I remember, every time they had a bit more money they’d paint it (and it would) go a bit higher.”

He said the support continued over the pool’s 48 years with the community group one year paying “for all admission fees for a year to increase attendance”.

“The Shire made all outdoor pools free the next year following this success,” Mr Mitchell said.

“Also the community paid for shade shelters, pool toys, a new kitchen, fridges, and barbecues, etc. We also paid for local’s lifeguard training. All this was done to ease the cost burden on the Shire.”

The pool water was even used in 2004 to help douse a fire when the Glenthompson general store (now the site of MJ’s Roadhouse) went up in flames.

The annual pool party also started about 15 years ago following a community call for support.

Mr Mitchell said he was disappointed a working relationship with Southern Grampians Shire appeared to no longer be in place.

“It’s devastating and the Shire have obviously made a stand that they don’t really want to work with us – and they used to,” he said.

“It’s just a sad, sad state of affairs.”