Community Aquatic Centre Committee spokesperson Greg Freeman said seeing the concept designs has made their vision a reality.

He commended Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for showing leadership and commitment to the project by investing $1.2 million to get the project to approval stage. But, there is one major financial hurdle still to overcome.

"The big task ahead will be securing the estimate $50 million in funding to complete the project," Mr Freeman said.

"With state and federal elections being held next year we are hopeful of funding support to turn this concept into reality. Although the financial commitment is great, there is a significant opportunity in defraying the costs with clever business operations on site."

Macquarie Park in Gordon Street is the preferred site for a new aquatic centre.

The aquatic centre features a 10 lane, 50 metre outdoor heated pool, a 20 metre indoor heated program pool (with a movable floor), facilities for the swimming club, a waterslide and recreation zones, a gym and café.

"This facility will be able to cater for lap swimmers, squad training, swimming carnivals, aqua aerobics, learn to swim, rehabilitation and leisure activities like the water slide which caters to the growing number of young families," Mr Freeman said.

"Swim training squads from Sydney will be attracted to the aquatic centre and it will be well placed to attract regional school swimming carnivals and athletes training for triathlons.

"Importantly, there will be improved access for people with disabilities, something that is sorely missing at the current pool.

"It is a much-needed piece of infrastructure that will replace our 55 year old Olympic pool and will give us a facility that can serve the Port Macquarie region for the next 50 years.

"Our Community Aquatic Centre Committee encourages the community to have a close look at what is proposed and get on board with this exciting project."

The council engaged Co-op Studios to undertake a demand analysis, options assessment, concept design, business case and development application.

A report is due back to the July 2021 council meeting to outline community feedback provided during the public exhibition period.

The concept design is on public exhibition until midnight Sunday, June 20.

Council will host a number of pop-up stands on:

You can also register for a community design workshop on June 10.

More information, or to provide feedback, can be accessed online at haveyoursay.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Port-Macquarie-Aquatic-Facility

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