The Lawrence-Tuapeka community has received a $200,000 boost for its swimming pool project.
The Otago Community Trust yesterday announced the donation, which has been welcomed by the group behind the project.
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.
Tuapeka Aquatic Centre Inc fundraising co-ordinator Debra Murray said they were ''thrilled'' to receive the trust's support, which has made a big difference to getting the $2.4 million project under way.
''It's really important our children, many of whom are from farms, learn to swim, and having a pool open for six months of the year will help enormously.''
''It's a big project for our town but one that is overwhelmed with support from the people of Lawrence as well as businesses and organisations. Everyone is behind it,'' Mrs Murray said.
The pool project is capped at $2.5 million, a figure which includes landscaping and contingencies.
The ''Splash Out'' centre will be built in the Lawrence Area School's grounds.
Almost $400,000 has been raised locally for the project.
