Ceremony marks official end of construction at Bay Pavilions

A small crowd of people were at the invite-only event, which was followed by tours of the brand-new building.

However, the event wasn't without some controversy as a small contingent of protestors gathered at the front of the building with placards asking why there wasn't a 50-metre pool in the facility.

Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Mat Hatcher, Senator Jim Molan, Minister for Arts Ben Franklin, and head architect Andrew Tripet from NBRS spoke at the ceremony which was attended by Bega MP Dr Michael Holland, Gilmore MP Fiona Phillips, Gilmore Liberal candidate Andrew Constance, former Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Liz Innis, and several members of community groups who helped fight for the facility.

The ceremony also included a welcome to country, traditional smoking ceremony, and traditional dances performed by Jordan Nye and the Muladha Gamara dancers.

"It's fair to say that this was a project that really captured our imagination from the outset," Mr Tripet said.

"As designers it's not often you're presented with such an interesting brief and such a beautiful site.

"The vision to fuse an aquatics centre with an arts centre is quite unique, and something we hadn't been challenged with before this project.

"I think what's exciting about this project is the way arts, leisure, health, and recreation are able to exist together. So many members of the community partake in all those things, and I think that's what makes this place so special."

Senator Molan said it was tremendous to see the project completed.

"My wife and I spent 40 years in the military and proudly boasted we lived in 36 houses and were members of more than 36 communities, but I have to say we've never seen anything like this community coming together to produce such a great building," he said.

"It will serve this community fabulously.

"It's tremendous to be here and see the community coming together in a way that is inspirational for us all."

Mr Franklin said there was "extraordinary cooperation and collaboration" on the project between federal, state and local governments.

"This doesn't happen just because of politicians, this gets driven by the community," he said.

"We know they only way we can represent our communities appropriately is if those communities are forthright in telling us what they want, and to have advocates like Carolyn and Jackie Harding, Jeannie Brewer, and the Mackay Park Sunset Committee is how projects like this happen.

"Cultural infrastructure is a critical part of building great communities and great places where people can live, visit, work, do business, or raise a family.

"This facility will reconnect this community, it will reflect and capture this region's cultural identity, and further develop Batemans Bay as a destination for the state and the nation."

Mayor Hatcher said he was "proud" to be opening the Pavilions.

"I'm thrilled to be here," he said.

"Each and every person here has played some sort of role in getting us to where we are now."

Mr Hatcher praised the previous council's work on Bay Pavilions.

"You can be proud in knowing you were very instrumental in this project, this is something you achieved for the community, and while I'm here cutting the ribbon, this is truly your legacy.

"This is absolutely a landmark project for a regional space, and I'm very proud to be opening it today."

After the ceremony, attendees were given guided tours of the theatre, aquatic centre, and gym. Mayor Hatcher and former Mayor Liz Innis also celebrated the occasion with a ride down the waterslides.

Bay Pavilions will open to the public on June 4.