About 25 people attended a meeting on plans for the Broad Bay Community Centre and Broad Bay Boating Club to come together under one roof.
A committee, Broad Bay Waterfront Inc, was established in November 2007 to investigate the feasibility of combining the two groups on the present boating club site.
The proposal is for construction of a larger building, extending into the intertidal area to allow the boat club and community hall to have their own space, with a plaza area outside.
It was hoped a new community centre would be more accessible and attract increased use, as the current centre was struggling to attract users, committee member Ian Booth said.
Committee chairman Richard Good said the purpose of the meeting was to gain encouragement from locals to move forward with the proposal.
While many were positive about the new complex, concerns about its misuse were also raised, specifically related to skateboarders, campers and boy racers.
Mr Good said the concerns would be taken into consideration in the overall planning of the development.
Broad Bay resident Chris Garey believed the development was a "fantastic" idea. She said the area was lacking in shops and cafes and the building would meet a demand for a local gathering place.
The cost of the proposed development was unavailable at yesterday's meeting.
However, Mr Good said, "It's not an arm and a leg", and the main cost would be the foundations.
Funding would be sought from the Dunedin City Council and community organisations and also raised from the sale of the existing community hall, Mr Good said.
