Construction on the $1.4 million upgrade of the Sunnyvale Sports Centre in Green Island will start this month.
It will be one of many milestones for the 38-year-old complex, which will be transformed into the Sunnyvale Community Centre over the next nine months, working party member Graeme Wyllie said.
Upgrades include a new gymnasium floor, a viewing lounge with bar and commercial kitchen facilities, more office and storage space, additional changing rooms, and the conversion of the existing lounge into a double squash court that could also be used as a second gym.
''We are tidying up an existing facility that's been used by a huge number of people in our community ... converting it from a sports club into a community facility that everyone can use,'' he said.
The working party, which has raised more than $1 million, still needs $150,000.
''We are at the sticky point where the support from our community verbally has been fantastic - we just need them to make a donation. That is where our focus is,'' he said.
The process, which was started three years ago, has involved two years of fundraising for the development.
The working party has raised $950,000 in grants from organisations including the Otago Community Trust, Lotteries Grants Board and Dunedin City Council.
Local businesses and the public have contributed to the re-development of the complex.
''Recognition will be given inside the facility to everyone who donates. We are asking families to contribute $100 and businesses $1000,'' he said.
A container, which will provide builders with on-site storage space, arrived on Tuesday.
''It's quite a big thing. It's only a few weeks until construction starts ... it's not months any more. There has been a lot of work that has gone in behind the scenes,'' he said.
The sports centre is home to a 500-strong football club and is used by Football South for tournaments, trials and coaching clinics.
The centre is also home to the Green Island senior cricket team and provides a base for growing squash and badminton clubs.
Visit www.sunnyvalecommunitycentre.co.nz to support the upgrade.
