His comments were made during a council community and cultural committee when major development options for the centre were debated.

“Is this an opportunity to bulldoze it and move to a new site and have an all-singing, all-dancing sporting complex possibly based at the showgrounds area?” he queried.

Cr Docksey's suggestion gained support from Cr Murray King, who said the report “undersold” the centre's potential as a facility of regional significance.

“It has been 30 years since it was built and there have been a few patch-up jobs,” Cr King said.

“Maybe this initiative could be extended to a lot bigger and lot better certainly with some funding from the federal and state governments.”

Council general manager Frank Zaknich cautioned against anything more than master plans and business plans for the centre be drafted up following consultation with user groups.

Director James Jenkins said the reason for the planning was to ensure projects such as a Lauren Jackson Sports Centre redevelopment were “shovel ready” for federal and state government funding opportunities when they arose.

“It is important we do this process in a proper and clear fashion so when we do apply for funding there is a strong business case for them,” he said.

He added the council had no control over the showgrounds site.

The most recent analysis on development options for the sports centre was done a decade ago.

They included a $2.4 million show court with seating for 2000-plus spectators, $1.5 million additional seating for the existing main court, $3.7 million amenities upgrade and $4.6 million gymnastics hall. ​Council recently rejected a regional aquatics facility including 50-metre indoor pool attached to the centre.