The pool, which is due to open before next Christmas, has been 13 years in the making.

The pool is being built next to the Murray and Districts Community Recreation Centre in Pinjarra.

The eight-lane 25m pool along with a hydrotherapy area and a sand beach for children will be powered by a gas jet turbine.

There is only one other pool like it in Australia.

Two-thirds of the project is being paid in grants with $2million from the State Government. $1million Federal Government funds, $1million from Alcoa and $50,000 from Pinjarra Junction shopping centre.

The remainder is being funded by private donations and via the Murray Shire’s cash reserve.

Murray Shire president Noel Nancarrow said it was one of the biggest projects the Shire had spent money on in recent times.

Cr Nancarrow said the Shire was now in a position to build the pool without going into debt.

“This way there will be no burden on ratepayers,” Cr Nancarrow said.

A push for a pool in the Murray Shire started in 1996 Murray and Districts Community Recreation Centre was originally built.

A pool was planned but this never eventuated due to funding.

It has been the most requested infrastructure project from the community.

In 2003 the Shire received a 1400-signature petition requesting a pool from the Murray and Districts Business Association.

Cr Nancarrow said the announcement was just rewards for the community which had campaigned so hard for it.

“This is why people put us in - to build the infrastructure needed,” he said.

“There is no doubt in my mind that it is important and it will make it more enticing for people to live here.”

Perkins (WA) Pty Ltd won the tender to build the pool.