Opposition leader, Daniel Andrews has announced $350,000 to build a new multi-purpose kiosk with change rooms, showers and toilets - the first step to reopening the pool.

The election promise comes just days after Mr Andrews met with Ararat Olympic Swimming Pool Committee's Ambrose Cashin.

Mr Cashin had conveyed to Mr Andrews the importance of the redevelopment to the community.

Mr Andrews said Labor through its candidate for Ripon, Daniel McGlone has listened to the community and answered the call to provide funding to ensure its future.

"Our state has seen the highest number of drowning deaths in a decade," he said.

"When community pools shut down in regional Victoria, local children often have nowhere else to go to learn how to swim safely.

"Labor will do something about it in Ararat, because Daniel McGlone has been on the case. He's the voice locals need."

Mr McGlone met with members of the Ararat Olympic Pool Committee to make the announcement.

"Many locals have learnt to swim in this pool and they want it saved," he said.

"We want to save the pool too and we'll stump up the funds, because community sport and safety matters."

Mr Cashin said he was ecstatic by Labor's cash splash.

"They have seen the need to re-open the pool and appreciate all the work everyone has put in to get it to this stage," he said.

"Yes, the committee has worked hard, but it has been the community that has supported it.

"This is a project that has been driven primarily by the community, the committee has just followed up on the wants and needs of the community.

"If communities work together great things can be achieved and this is a fine example of that."

The future of the pool now hinges heavily on a decision by Ararat Rural City Council at its ordinary meeting tonight. When councillors meet they will consider three main options.

One to reopen the pool, a second to enact its closure or third conduct a plebiscite - where ratepayers would be asked to formally vote on whether or not the project should go ahead.

Mr Cashin said he can now see no reason why council would stand in the way of the committee and the community and not let the project proceed.

"It is now up to council, however this clearly shows that every concern they raised has been met," he said.

"It is quite obvious the community want this pool and it is important the councillors vote for it, I can't see how they'll vote against it now.

"We as a committee are ready to move forward on this project with them and have demonstrated the flexibility and willingness to work collaboratively together."

Supporters of the Ararat Outdoor Olympic Swimming Pool now have the added certainty that regardless of the result come November 29, there is guaranteed government funding for its redevelopment.

"We will work with the government of the day to ensure these funds are used for optimum benefit," Mr Cashin said.

A re-elected Coalition government has already promised $350,000 for a new kiosk and change rooms at the pool, but also another $340,000 to enhance the broader precinct.

The Coalition also pledged to provide $25,000 to upgrade the kiosk area at the YMCA Centre's indoor pool and $50,000 towards a master plan to examine how the outdoor pool and indoor facilities can be best integrated.

Mr Cashin said he is realistically hopeful that the pool could be open to cater for swimmers come the 2015/16 summer.

"I really want to thank the community for its unwavering, strong support and commitment to the future of the pool," he said.

"We want to honour our predecessors' hard work and act to make this a great meeting place for the whole community that is viable for the next 50 years.

"Then, our children will no longer have to go out of town to swim. The children that we teach to swim today, will prevent the drownings of tomorrow."