Griffith councillors look set to dampen the spirits of an entire community when they meet to make their final decision in January, with many privately saying they will pull their support for the project.

The community of Yenda has been actively lobbying for a 50-metre swimming pool by holding family fun days, debutante balls and releasing a nude community calendar and have raised $15,000 so far.

Debate between councillors erupted at Tuesday night’s meeting when deputy mayor Dominic Testoni said it was “decision time”.

“The issue has dragged out far too long. I don’t want to be a part of a council giving false hope,” he said.

“Let’s get the facts and figures out now and tell them (the Yenda community) now.”

Cr Allan Bennett said pulling council support was the “wrong move”.

“It would be a kick in the guts to a very proud community if council were to pull its support,” he said.

Yenda Pool Investigation Management Committee (YPIMC) member Pat Kemp said she was not giving up yet.

“If they (council) say no, let me just say they’d better have a good reason,” she said. “The cost is no excuse because it will cost the same in Griffith as it would in Yenda.

“We have more parking in Yenda and overall the increase in the number of people who would use the pool would be far greater than if they extend the pool in Griffith.”

Mrs Kemp said she believed council wanted the matter out of the way.

“Once we are out of the way they can start looking at extending the pool in Griffith,” she said.

Councillors discussed a perception that council had committed to the project.

Mayor Mike Neville said he could understand the confusion, but council had given the project only ‘in principle support’ and made no financial commitment.

“While no promises were made, looking at the vernacular I can see where there’s confusion,” he said.

Cr Bennett said he would support the plans to the end.

“I will go down fighting because I believe in it and because it is about community spirit,” he said.