“There were lots of battles to get this facility approved and built and to see it finally open makes it all worthwhile,” she said.

“The response to the new facility has been fantastic.

“A thousand people a day visited it during its first weekend of operation. That’s incredible.”

She said a number of people fought long and hard since 2009 to save the pool and upgrade the facilities.

“It wasn’t always easy but thankfully Shoalhaven council agreed with that and now we have a superb complex,” she said.

“It is absolutely fantastic. A great 50m pool, the water park and upgraded kiosk. It all creates a beautiful family atmosphere for people to enjoy the great outdoors.

“Hopefully now with this finished facility, people can see the benefit of it.”

Mrs Phillips lined up with her children to use the pool on its opening day and was one of the first patrons through the gates.

“To see so many people take advantage of the new facility was fantastic,” she said.

“It was great just to be able to sit in the shallow end of the pool or on the grassed areas and hear so many positive comments about the complex.

“It was hard to explain the emotions I felt.

“It was wonderful to see the people who had worked hard on the project, like project manager Gary George and council’s aquatics manager Kevin Norwood and the staff and the joy in their eyes.

“Every smile I see on a child’s face while using the complex makes it all worthwhile.

“The facility has a very bright future and there is more to come.”

The complex will be officially opened this Saturday, October 17 at 10am.