With applications for national grants lodged, those working on a project to upgrade the Sunnyvale Sports Centre will approach the community next.
The $1.45 million makeover of the 37-year-old centre in Fairfield has been planned for seven years.
In the past two years, a working party from the Green Island Combined Sports Bodies group, which manages the centre, has been working on options, plans and costs.
A $500,000 Lottery Grants Board application has been submitted and working party member John Moyle said the community would soon be approached for financial contributions.
''We need people to front up with some cash.''
The first stage of the upgrade would include the building of the lounge, bar and toilets so income could be generated from those leasing the new facility. The building of the gym and squash courts would follow.
''We are selling it as a change from a sports centre to a community centre. We will have a far more functional structure.
"We will have three or four different spaces for people to use for meetings, gatherings and a fully functioning cafe ... it's not just for sports people.''
The party wanted $200,000 from the community, with 1000 families or individuals giving $100 and 100 businesses giving $1000.
The 700 people who used the centre for cricket, squash, football, badminton and other activities had been provided direct debit forms to give $10 a month for 10 months.
In November, a community mail-drop would update people on the project and explain how money could be given.
The lottery grant and community funding were equally important to the upgrade.
''If we can get the public funding target, and we got half of what was applied for [at the Lottery Grants Board], we'd still have enough to get under way to some extent.''
