ARARAT - The Ararat community once again threw its support behind an initiative to save the Ararat Solar Olympic Pool by attending a sold out ball at the Ararat Performing Arts Centre.
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About 300 people attended the Save the Pool Ball to raise funds for the redevelopment of the pool, which has been closed to the public after Ararat Rural City Council declared it unsafe.
Save the Pool committeeman, Ambrose Cashin labelled the ball 'a spectacular success'.
"It was a 12/10. Everyone had a great night, I don't think there was anyone who went home disappointed," he said.
"We hopefully raised between 13,500 and $14,000, which was our target."
Mr Cashin said about $3,000 was raised via an auction, with the door raffle reaping $600.
Auction items included AFL memorabilia, a framed Black Caviar print signed by trainer Peter Moody and jockey Luke Nolan, a barbecue, television and crockery from Fred and Bet's.
"All the local products were donated, we only had to pay for the AFL memorabilia," Mr Cashin said.
"We really appreciate all the businesses who donated items and all the musicians who got up and performed, they did a fantastic job.
"It was like a repeat of 50 years ago with everyone working together. We had the water aerobics ladies making sandwiches and businesses donating food... all this led to it being a great night."
Mr Cashin thanked the Ararat and district community for its support, in particular the businesses who donated items and the people who attended the ball.
"It shows the community really does want the pool," he said.
"There were people there from 18 years of age up to about 65 or 70. We had everyone asking what they could do to help."
Mr Cashin also paid tribute to the Save the Pool Committee members, who have been working tirelessly towards raising funds for the pool's redevelopment.
In another boost for the committee, Hotondo Homes announced it would donate $1,000 towards the pool committee for every successful new building contract made in the next six months, if those making the contracts mention the pool.
The Save the Pool Committee was formed out of a meeting held earlier this year encouraging residents to show their support for the reopening of the pool.
Since then, Mr Cashin said the committee had almost raised $50,000 towards the redevelopment.
