But there is concern in Mosgiel the designated area is bigger than it needs to be, and includes an area of gardens.
The Dunedin City Council has lodged a notice of requirement to designate an area covering Memorial Park, Peter Johnstone Park, the existing Mosgiel Pool and part of Reid Ave.
The primary driver for the designation is to make provision for the new Mosgiel Aquatic Centre.
A report to a hearings committee that will consider the issue next month by consultant Mitchell Daysh said the designation would establish the planning framework for the site.
"It will mean that all existing activities such as the sports grounds, gardens and existing Mosgiel Pool can continue to operate".
It would also mean the new pool could be built without further planning approval.
The notice received 22 submissions, 12 in support, nine opposing and one neutral.
One common point of concern among opponents was the inclusion of the garden area of Memorial Park in the designation.
Concerns included that the notice of requirement would leave the garden exposed to encroachment of buildings.
But council planner Emma Christmas said the gardens were included in the designation because they were seen as part of the central community and recreational hub.
Taieri Facilities Community Trust member Bill Feather said the exact positioning of the pool within the designated area was yet to be decided.
That decision would be made by the council.
"We're waiting on the redesignation, and then the council and ourselves will be pushing the project forward."
On the concerns of submitters, Mr Feather said the trust understood the community's desire to maintain the garden area as it was.
The purpose of the designation was to set aside the area that was currently a leisure and sporting area, and to "bind all of the individual areas into one boundary".
"That's what the first step is all about."
The hearings panel will be a panel of one: commissioner Gary Rae has been tasked with making the decision.
The hearing is set to start on February 18, and last two or three days.
The pool will receive about $10.8million of funding from the council after the trust was able to raise a minimum of $3.2million.
