Almost 25,000 users have passed through the $16million recreation facility since it was opened last year.
To celebrate its one-year landmark the facility held an open day on Saturday to give residents a chance to use it and to see what was on offer.
Wanaka Recreation Centre team leader Angie Calder said the first year had exceeded expectations, with a total of 24,866 users.
The diversity of sports, other events and organisations using the centre was particularly pleasing, Ms Calder said.
''We've had such a great year; so many sports and so many recreational users coming in, casual bookings and all sorts of clubs.''
Attention now turned to the new $12million pool, which was still on track to open in March next year.
''Obviously, the big excitement here is the construction of the pool, which is coming along nicely and we are all looking forward to that.''
The Queenstown Lakes District Council was considering running a commercial gym at the facility to help offset costs, which drew some criticism from gym owners when it was mentioned at a public meeting in Wanaka earlier this year.
Ms Calder said since opening there had been suggestions from the public about services they would like to see at the recreation centre, and a health and fitness centre was a popular idea.
Nothing had been confirmed and the council and recreation staff were working on a overall facility mix plan, to ensure the community gets the greatest value out of the recreation centre.
