At a meeting to consider changes to the draft annual plan on Thursday, the Clutha District Council decided to increase its funding by $213,000.
The council had previously decided to allocate a grant of up to $1.137 million to the project - capped at 55% of the total project cost. However, pending the adoption of the amended long-term plan, the council's contribution would be 57%, capped at $1.35 million.
Cr Bruce Vollweiler said the council had encouraged communities to take over the running of its pools, and the Lawrence-Tuapeka area had taken the project on board.
''It's now up to us to show our support.''
The council decided to treat the increase of $213,000 as a swimming pool grant, funded across the district through the uniform annual general charge (UAGC rate). Each property across Clutha will have $1.50 added to that charge.
The council runs four pools - Balclutha, Kaitangata, Lawrence, and Milton - and the Lawrence pool costs each Clutha property $2.50 per year through the UAGC rate.
However, the UAGC per property cost for the Balclutha pool is $23.80, Milton $7.90, and Kaitangata $2.70.
A report by council staff said if the Lawrence project was funded in a similar way to previous pool upgrades, the UAGC rate would have increased to $4.60.
Lawrence-Tuapeka councillor Geoff Blackmore said the swimming pool grant was a good way to ''catch up'' to where the rate should be.
''Lawrence people haven't complained about the rates increase ... They really want this pool.''
Cr Hamish Anderson said the new Lawrence pool would add value to the entire district.
Last year the council granted an interest-free loan of $150,000 as ''bridging finance'' to cover pledged funds.
For the past three years, the Lawrence-Tuapeka community has been working towards building a new aquatic centre, to replace the old pool which is cold and leaks.
The ''Splash Out'' centre will be built in the Lawrence Area School's grounds.
Tuapeka Aquatic Centre Inc chairman Garry McCorkindale said the original construction estimate was $1.95 million, but a quote received from Milton-based Calder Stewart Industries comes in about $2.25 million. The committee met Calder Stewart recently and the price was valid until next spring.
The Lawrence-Tuapeka district had a goal of raising $400,000 locally, and the group was confident this would be met, he said.
The pool project is capped at $2.5 million, a figure which includes landscaping and contingencies.
In a submission supporting the increased council grant, the Lawrence-Tuapeka Community Board said it was ''keenly aware'' of the rating increases facing the township.
The amended long-term plan will be adopted and rates struck on June 20.
