That's the message from Dean Lawler regarding the construction of a Mid North Coast Academy of Sport facility in Port Macquarie.

Under the proposal, a state-of-the-art training facility would be built in the Hastings to cater for high-end athletes as well as those aspiring to make the next level.

"It's going to cost about $25 million," Lawler said.

The facility would be similar in size to Newman Technical College and house accommodation for about 80 people.

It would include strength, conditioning and recovery facilities, a hydrotherapy pool along with as indoor and outdoor training grounds.

It would be based on a similar facility located on the Sunshine Coast which has a conference room.

A handful of other facilities are located around New South Wales including Lismore.

Lawler believes Port Macquarie is an ideal location to build another one.

"It's to cater for any and every sport," he said.

"We have so many talented and aspiring athletes here in Port Macquarie and the surrounding areas.

"I think it's time they had access to state-of-the-art facilities so they can take their ability to the next level.

"Why should they have to travel five hours to Lismore? That doesn't make sense."

He believed such a facility would turn Port Macquarie "into an absolute hub."

"Coffs Harbour are on a roll and I kid you not, if we don't do this, they will," he said.

Such Centres of Excellence are situated "almost everywhere around the United States."

The proposal is starting to gain traction and with the state election around the corner, the time was right to start asking questions.

"I've been speaking to some political people and hopefully we can get some government funding or some state assistance," Lawler said.

"My vision is the building with all the equipment at the right location would take about 18 months to build."

Should the facility be given the green light, the benefits for the region would be far-fetching.

Lawler said it would potentially draw high-profile sporting clubs to use the facility in the pre-season.

The Newcastle Knights, Newcastle Jets, Australian Steelers, New York Yankees, Socceroos, Matildas or the Australian cricket team could all potentially use it.

Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka recently spent a month on the Gold Coast doing strength and conditioning at a similar facility.

"Imagine getting the New York Yankees here," Lawler said.

"They could do a training session, acclimatise to the area and we could put them up in the accommodation.

"It would pay for itself; it would be like a mini AIS."

With the region expected to grow exponentially in coming years, Lawler felt it was a no-brainer.

"I can't understand with how big Port Macquarie is, why we can't have one here," he said.

"If we don't do it, someone else will and it's time to do it now."

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