The purpose-built Australian Clay Target Association (ACTA) headquarters will double as the city’s first convention centre, capable of seating 650 diners or 1200 conference-goers.

Eleven years after Member for Wagga Daryl Maguire declared “Wagga’s leaders – including council – have failed to think big on this issue of an auditorium and entertainment centre”, the state government stumped up $5.5 million for construction.

The other $1.5 million will come from the ACTA, which will host the International Clay Target Shooting Federation world trap championships at the new venue next year.

The deadline for construction is March 2018.

Mr Maguire said heavy-hitters within the state government including Premier Mike Baird – were impressed by the predicted benefit-cost ratio in the order of $2.80 return for every $1 invested.

The funding will not come from the pool of cash accrued by selling half of the state's electricity poles and wires, rather Mr Maguire said the decision was made possible because NSW is clear of debt for the first time in 20 years.

“Apart from emptying out an aircraft hangar, there aren’t many places in Wagga to seat 1200 people in conference-style seating,” he said.

“This is about having another venue for Wagga to attract more events to the city.

“It’s another shot in the arm for the economy in construction jobs but once the centre kicks off, there’ll be a need for catering staff, motel stays and on it goes.”

Developers are already circling a vacant plot of land adjacent to the site in the hopes of building accommodation.

ACTA has been working on the project since 2013, according to executive Tony Turner.

“It will be an enormous multi-purpose venue capable of holding conferences and large functions, which will be an integral part of what we do in the future,” Mr Turner said.

“On March 25-28 we will have some Olympic and former Olympic shooters at the trap world championship.

"ACTA has sunk well in excess of $3 million into this venue since we moved our headquarters here in 1999, but we would have struggled to fund a development this big on our own.” 

ACTA is still working on the final blueprint with architects and engineers but expects to submit final designs to council’s planning department by February.

Supporters of a convention centre have long touted the city’s unique location at the intersection of three major highways, with 75 per cent of Australia’s population living less than four hours away by car.