There is no guarantee immediate repairs to the ''extensive cracking'' in the Milton Swimming Pool will provide a permanent solution.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan, Clutha District Council district assets manager Jules Witt and Crs Gaynor Finch and Bruce Vollweiler fronted a public meeting at the swimming pool on Thursday to discuss the cracks discovered in the pool.
About 100 people attended the meeting.
Mr Cadogan said while the council was looking at solutions, the problem was there was no guarantee the pool would not be damaged further after sealing repairs were made.
He said the pool was believed to have cracked after heavy rain and flooding caused the water table to rise underneath, putting pressure on its underside.
A failure in the pipe or valve system meant the pool emptied in the off season, contributing to the base's failure.
Sealing the cracks could cost up to $60,000, and it would be another $30,000 to repair and replace the faulty water pipes.
Now it had the facts, the council was looking at repair options to get the pool up and running as soon as possible, Mr Cadogan said.
''There's got to be the awareness that we are dealing with timeframes that are narrower than we'd want them to be.''
He was surprised when members of the community supported an idea to shut the pool for a year to undergo full repairs in the hope for a long-term solution.
Mr Witt said the council was waiting to find out if the insurance claim on the pool would be accepted.
Some residents said they were concerned their children would miss out on vital swimming lessons.
It was suggested a bus service be set up between Balclutha and Milton to cater for those who wished to use the swimming pool.
''Potentially, council could fund that,'' Mr Witt said.
Mr Cadogan said it would have to be discussed at the next council meeting.
The pool might still open this season if only a sealing job was required, he said.
However, if major ground work was needed, it would probably be closed for the whole season.
The corporate and regulatory committees would further discuss the pool at its meeting next week before putting recommendations to a full council meeting.
At its December 17 meeting, the council would discuss the repair and interim solutions for Milton residents who wished to use the Balclutha pool.
