"To some the amount raised may seem small but to us it is another big step towards our goal."
They are a small club with 43 swimmers - 35 future stars with eight competitive swimmers aged between 7 and 19 years old, Mrs Smith said.
"We would like to think we might not always be a club of champions but we are always a club developing champions."
The facility, in Pembroke St Carterton, was built as a result of working bees, fundraising and donations from Wairarapa people and businesses. Opened in 1987, locals volunteered labour with sheets of iron, wood and almost everything else needed gifted.
"Although we continue to punch well above our weight nationally in regional and national competitions, we do it from what is considered one of the smallest and most tired facilities in the country - a three-lane pool in a tin shed," she said.
The club holds many regional records with a very successful senior mens relay team and one swimmer is currently part of the high performance unit, training in Wellington.
Many more members have been selected as part of the wider Wellington regional swim team, competing nationally.
Two members have competed in the New Zealand Opens this year which doubled as the Commonwealth Games trials.
"We get to swim with the best ... but our club isn't just for the competitive."
The Russell Geange Swim Academy also operates from the facility.
Parents play a huge part in the success of the club but they need outside help to improve their facilities, Mrs Smith said.
"We can't keep asking our small membership for money."
The club is currently looking for an engineer, architect or others in the community to assess the building and help them move forward.
"We hope the community will come on board and help. We'd love for someone to work with us so we can keep producing champions."
It is also soon to run a recruitment drive looking for new members.
If you would like to join the club as a member or can help in any way, please call Mrs Smith on (6) 372 4713 or email the club: cartertonswimclub@gmail.com.
