Ms Staley said the money would be used to pay for construction of change rooms and a kiosk.

“I’m calling on the community to support me in getting this funding from the State Government,” she said.

But Ararat Mayor Paul Hooper said he would be surprised if the State Government funded the pool because Ararat already had an indoor pool.

He said the government had made it clear there were many Victorian towns without a pool they would favour ahead of Ararat.

“To be blunt, I have had countless conversations with ministers and members of parliament and they have not been forthcoming in any way, shape or form,” he said.

“Nor have they been encouraging in any way, shape or form.”

Ms Staley said she believed the funding was different because it could be a community facility even without the pool.

“I think one of the reasons I am fighting for the change rooms and kiosk is because this is a year-round use facility for the community,” she said.

“The State Government is not in the business running or funding municipal swimming pools. This will be a community facility that has a broader use.” 

Labor candidate Daniel McGlone said Ms Staley lobbying her own party was peculiar.

“This just seems to me evidence Louise is not connecting to the government and is resorting to using the petition as a bit of a stunt when there’s just no government interest in the issue,” he said.

He said the State Government had been clear it would not fund the pool.

“To give the impression of something that’s not going to happen – I think that’s a bit of a disservice to Ararat,” he said. 

“The people advocating for the pool have put together quite a good proposal and it would be unfortunate if they were given false hope.”

Mr McGlone said the pool was a preferable youth centre in Ararat to fast food outlets, but the government had to be realistic about what it could fund.

Ararat Olympic Pool Committee president Ambrose Cashin said the community and council would fund the rest of the $2.5-million project.

“If the Liberals come good with that funding, it means we’ll have the funding to be able to complete the project,” he said.

“With the election coming up and Ripon being a tight seat and as they look at what people need, this is a project the community has continually supported.”

The Department of Environment and Primary Industries recently knocked back the committee’s bid to manage the pool.

But Mr Cashin said there were provisions for the department to lease it to the committee.

He said people in Ararat remained committed to re-opening the pool.

“People are very passionate because it was a community-built facility,” Mr Cashin said.

“People’s fathers and grandfathers built it and country towns can’t afford to lose any amenities.”

Cr Hooper said council would contribute $450,000 to the construction and $80,000 a year for three years for the running of the pool.

Nationals candidate Scott Turner said he supported Ms Staley’s petition.

“I’ve discussed this pool for months with the guys on the committee and also Sport Minister Damian Drum and Deputy Premier Peter Ryan,” he said.

“It was one of my old playgrounds as a kid and a great place to catch up with mates – it’s a great centre to the community.”