It was not until the 1960s that the campaign for a pool got underway with the Walcha News headline of January 14, 1960, reading “Do You Want a Swimming Pool?”.

The associated story reads in part: “All organisations in Walcha are to be asked for their opinion on the establishment of public baths in the town and to what extent they may be able to support Walcha Shire Council in pursuit of this project.”

Council’s health inspector said he was alarmed that half of Walcha’s school children were unable to swim. He suggested that a block of land fronting Derby Street, next to the Walcha Carrying Co. premises, was a convenient pool location.

He added that the Public Works Department advised that applications for baths grants could take from five to six years to be fully processed.

In February 1960 the Walcha Shire Council announced that it would apply to the department for a £10,000 grant to establish its place in the queue among other towns seeking grants but without committing itself to build a pool. Estimated cost of an Olympic sized pool was as high as £42,000.

Councillor T.C. Bath, said what is now known as McHattan Park, was a potential pool site.

A public meeting held in September 1960, chaired by the Shire President Cr R.G. Blomfield, voted in favour of a recreation centre that would include two pools, one for adults and one for children, together with dressing sheds, a play area, a first aid room and tuck shop, estimated to cost as little as £12,000.

The meeting also appointed a committee of nine to investigate the various ways of financing the scheme. The committee comprised Messrs. J.H. Crisford, J. Wise, O.R. Madden, W. Russell, B. Hunt, W.E. Lisle, H. Clifton, H. Moore and N.R. “Rex” Turton.