It takes a lot of confidence to spring back after missing out on a grant submission that took weeks and weeks of hard work to prepare, but Robertson and District Swimming Pool Association (RADSPA) chair Neville Fredericks believes his hopes are well-placed.
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His response to the news this week that the organisation missed out on a $7 million NSW Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund grant was to point out the silver lining - they've now laid the groundwork for submissions for future funding opportunities.
"Essentially we've missed out," said Mr Fredericks, a property developer and former mayor of Kiama, who is no stranger to making a vision a reality.
"It was heavily subscribed grant, six times over-subscribed.
"But in this process we've evolved a very good concept for an emergency accommodation centre for the region, which we think will be a propellor for attracting grants.
"Although we missd out on this one, another Federal one is coming up at the end of July - though we haven't yet seen criteria.
"We haven't lost heart - and if we do, we should resign."
The Robertson pool saga - which has been on the cards for 40 years and weathered the collapse of a half-built structure in 2018 - has involved a lot of abandoned plans, but the committee are hoping by turning it into a multi-purpose indoor sports centre and including provision for emergency accommodation, it will be given an edge.
"We're confident the scheme we have now is sensible, and complementary to region," said Mr Fredericks.
"This facility would be in heart of town, walking distance from the school, and being in the centre of community would be helpful for both sport and emergency accommodation.
"We're happy philosophically that we've thought this through well."
The indoor sports facility would include - of course - a pool, but also allow for indoor hockey, netball, basketball, squash and more, as well as a gymnasium.
Committee member and president of the Robertson Burrawang Cricket Club, Aaron de Jaeger, said the indoor sports centre would meet a huge need.
"There's nothing like it in the Highlands," he said.
"We'd be open to any sport using the centre - we would like it to be used 365 days a year, if it came to fruition."
For the last grant, the committee was flooded with letters of support from sports groups far and wide, but Mr de Jaeger urged them to "make more noise".
"If they want to make a bit more noise, make the government sit up and take notice, that would be beneficial, I'm sure," he said.
The facility would also have a commercial kitchen so in times of emergency up to 250 could be fed.
"Emergencies don't happen often, of course, but they happen suddenly, and because of the ongoing use of the facility, it would be ready to go at any time," Mr Fredericks said.
The area lacks both a multi-use sport centre and an emergency accommodation of this kind.
"I'm told that 200 people leave the Highlands every Thursday to go to Unanderra to play hockey," said Mr Fredericks.
"When the proposal was just a pool, there were some with doubts about it's operational viability.
"This puts it all together so the viability is enhanced."
He said that RADSPA is "close to sorting out the insurance" following the 2018 collapse, and will meet with the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund to clarify how the submission fell short.
"They will advise us as to what other opportunities may be coming up," Mr Fredericks said.
"It depends on the grant and the criteria as to whether we apply and how much for, but we have the strong support of all of the local schools who would use the facility, the local sporting bodies strongly support it, and the local SES.
"We're hopeful."
The RADSPA Committee statement, July 7:
Dear RADSPA Members
This week our committee received advice that we were unsuccessful with our application for a grant from the NSW Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund
Our application was for an emergency refuge and multi-purpose indoor sports centre. The total grant fund available was $250 million and applications totalled $1,600 million,
Appreciation is expressed to Mark Jones of Edmiston Jones Architects who assisted our committee with project cost estimates for the application
The outcome of our committees' intense efforts over the holiday period to develop the project concept and lodge the application remains positive. We now have a more suitable site available and a plan for a multi-purpose complex that if funded would serve a wide range of indoor recreational needs of Robertson and district residents.
Our committees view is that by making the proposed building an emergency accommodation centre, the prospects of attracting grant funding would be enhanced. Furthermore, the operational viability of the proposed centre would be significantly improved with a wider range of uses compared to a stand-alone swimming pool.
Our committee intends to engage with the Dept. of Regional NSW (DRNSW) for a feedback session and to gain a better understanding of upcoming grant opportunities. In this regard, we have been advised that the Australian Government will be announcing a $280 million Black Summer Bushfires Grants programme in the next few weeks.
With regard to the insurance claim related to the building collapse, your committee has completed compilation of all the insurers requests for information and we are hopeful of completion of a negotiated settlement of our claim in the next few months.
Our gratitude is expressed for the encouragement received from many of our members.
Please feel free to contact me on 0409 717 919 if you wish to discuss any matter relating to our committee's work.
With kind regards to all,
Neville Fredericks
Chair RADSPA
