The expanded aquaticcomplex - which could cost up to $10 million - would likely be built on a new site if approved by Dunedin city councillors, replacing the dilapidated Mosgiel community pool.
It was one of three priority projects identified by the Dunedin City Council's aquatic services working party, which would report to councillors next month, working party chairman Cr Colin Weatherall said.
The other two projects identified were an upgrade for Moana Pool and possibly a new swimming facility at Logan Park or the Forsyth Barr Stadium, he said.
No decisions had yet been made, or time-lines or budgets set, as the working party prepared a list of priority projects and indicative costings to present to councillors next month.
The need for public consultation and funding meant construction - if approved - would be at least "a year or three" away, he said.
However, the pressing demand to expand stretched swimming facilities in Dunedin - and the desire to save money - meant a new Mosgiel pool and Moana Pool upgrade could proceed at the same time, if efficiencies could be achieved.
A Logan Park or stadium pool was seen as the third-placed priority at this stage.
Mosgiel Taieri Community Board and working party member Martin Dillon welcomed the progress. The board had been lobbying for a new pool, and he hoped a new facility could cater for Mosgiel residents and people across Dunedin's entire southern catchment, including Green Island, Fairfield and South Dunedin.
Mosgiel's community pool was dilapidated, with just one six-lane 25m pool and a small paddling pool, and "past its use-by date", he said.
"I call it the horse trough - that's all it is."
The city's need for at least one new pool was a "forgone conclusion", and it made sense to build it in Mosgiel, he said.
"That's where the growth is. It's flat, it's easy to get to, it ticks all the right boxes."
The pool site was considered too small for redevelopment but other council-owned properties in Mosgiel could be suitable. The board would begin discussing preferred sites if councillors agreed to progress the project, Mr Dillon said.
In 2009, the council's annual plan hearing board was told a new swimming pool could cost up to $10 million.
The council's working party was created after a report by consultants SGL Group New Zealand, prompted by public feedback about existing facilities, last year recommended investment to address overcrowding.
Cr Weatherall said yesterday there was "no doubt" new facilities were needed, and that meant more than one new pool.
A new Mosgiel pool would need to be somewhere between the size of the existing pool and Moana Pool to cater for swimmers and aquatic sports groups.
