North Otago Rugby, North Otago Cricket and Sport Waitaki have been working on the proposal for two years.
The Waitaki District Council decided recently to help fund the two-storey complex with $333,000, the rest to come from an application to the Lottery Grants Board community facilities fund.
North Otago Rugby chief executive Colin Jackson said the "sports hub" would bring together all sporting volunteers and elite coaches to share resources for the benefit of all sporting codes in North Otago.
"It will make an enormous positive difference to the opportunities our young sportsmen and women will have in the future," he said.
The complex would initially be tenanted by rugby, cricket and Sport Waitaki.
It would also be a workplace for a cross-section of sports coaches and development officers, sharing skills and resources.
It would be open during business hours on weekdays and become a resource centre available to support athletes, clubs and businesses associated with all recreation activities within the community.
Sport Waitaki co-ordinator Louise Bee said North Otago had a reputation for running successful tournaments, bringing thousands of dollars each event into the community.
The complex would provide a centre to run tournaments, increasing the prospect of promoting accommodation, food and entertainment opportunities to visiting teams and supporters.
North Otago chairman Peter Cameron said the complex would give the community a place to view and celebrate sporting successes, passing on the legacy to future generations and making North Otago a better place to live.
It was located to support activities on the No 1, 2 and 3 fields at Centennial Park, providing improved changing rooms and associated facilities.
An application had already been made to the Lottery Grants Board for funding, with a decision expected in December.
The council's contribution is made up of an internal loan of $109,000, to be repaid as rental income from tenants, and reallocating $224,000 set aside for the Centennial Park irrigation project.
