BANGOR – The future of Dakin Pool, which escaped the budget knife earlier this year, seemed assured Tuesday, as pool supporters and city officials discussed some of the headway made toward finding a cost-effective way to replace the pool’s dilapidated bathhouse, which does not meet handicapped accessibility requirements.

City councilors were poised to close the small city swimming pool near Broadway Park after receiving an estimate suggesting the bathhouse could cost more than $300,000 to replace. At that time, average daily attendance had dwindled to about 35 swimmers a day.

The decision prompted residents of the east side, where the nearly 50-year-old pool is located, to organize the Save Dakin Pool Committee, now known as Friends of Dakin Pool.

The save-the-pool initiative has given Dakin Pool increased visibility through new signage and community awareness. Among the outcomes has been a boost in daily attendance, which by the end of the swimming season Friday averaged 80 swimmers.

Also out of the surge of community support has come a plan to replace the pool house, at a cost of about $152,000.

“We are delighted to be here. This is a success story,” Bill Sullivan, treasurer of the Friends group, said during the group’s meeting with members of the City Council’s government operations committee, chaired by Councilor Richard Greene, who offered to show up with his tool belt once construction begins.

“This is what we’re all about, taking care of each other and helping out” Councilor Susan Hawes said.

Joseph Baldacci, a Bangor attorney and former council chairman, said the group is seeking assistance on four levels, namely donated labor, materials, cash and city support. He felt confident pool supporters will reach their fundraising goal. In addition, Dick Stockford contributed free T-shirts for lifeguards who were recognized last Friday and the State Street Subway kicked in a free party sub for the event.

“There’s a large untapped reservoir of good will about this pool and what it means to the community,” he said.

Baldacci and Michael Robinson, head of the Friends group, cited a string of offers to help from such community leaders as Gabby Price, a well-known football coach, and Miller’s Drug owner Bill Miller, to name a few.

The effort has received a major boost from Home Depot, which has chosen the bathhouse for one of its “Kaboom” programs. The program comes with a $2,000 grant to apply toward pool area improvements and volunteer labor from the company’s employees.