The Moss Vale Memorial Aquatic Centre opened for business on Saturday.

The new facility, built on the old outdoor pool site, is complete with a roof and many other attractions including a gymnasium, cafe, a lap pool and other receational swimming areas as well as provisions for people with disabilities.

About 70 people donned their cosies to bask in the warm water on opening day while the kiddies splashed about under fountains in the wading pool.

Thoughts of $500,000 budget blowouts and exaggerated attendance figures were nowhere to be seen on Saturday as Wingecarr-ibee Council staff and councillors past and present, took pride in unveiling the fruits of their labour.

Cr Larry Whipper and former mayor Ken Halstead were both instrumental in ensuring the pool came to fruition and both attended the opening ceremony.

"There were a lot of people there on Saturday enjoying the facility and I hope it continues to serve the community well into the future," Cr Whipper said.

"It's something we can be really proud of despite all the obstacles that came up. 

"The community deserves this and it makes you wonder why we hadn't built it a long time ago."

The first report on the Aquatic Centre's costings will be released at next week's council meeting.

Former Mayor Ken Halstead said the facility was a great asset to the community.

“One of the first things you notice when you walk inside is there is no chlorine smell. they’ve used Ozone technology in the water.

“It features some mind-boggling state-of-the-art technology and I’m sure it will be well-used.

“I still believe it is in the right place despite what the sceptics will have you believe and if you look at where the growth is going it is centreing around Moss Vale.”