The council will provide $1.33 million to the Electra Reserve facility from the sale of "surplus" but as yet unspecified council land.

The centre was thought to cost $2.25 million last year - funded by the council ($1 million), the State Government ($500,000), and non-profit groups Waverley Bridge Club ($500,000) and Ceres Calisthenics Club ($250,000).

After final plans were drawn up this year, the estimated cost topped $3.6 million.

The bridge and calisthenics clubs want their own exclusive spaces at the centre, but other community groups will be able to use the building, which is expected to open in 2009.

Ceres Calisthenics principal coach Julie Jellis said the 160-member club had been on a 10-year fund-raising mission to find a permanent home.

"At the moment, we're practising in four separate halls. That's why we've wanted this for so long.

"It's going to be a great community facility."

Waverley Bridge Club spokesman Ray Anderson said the club had raised money for an exclusive space since 1985. "We'll raise the extra $40,000 with debentures from our 600 members." He said there was "fairly strong" opposition to the sale of surplus land, but the community would be gaining a great asset.

"That area of Ashwood has an enormous amount of open space.

"It's not as bad a problem as it might have been."

Opposing the council's extra funding, councillors Geoff Lake and Dane Manzie criticised the further sale of council land.

Cr Lake said the council should reveal what land would be sold.

"If we're flogging off public open space, the community has the right to know where it is, especially if it's land adjoining the facility where it's being built."

Mayor Tom Morrissey ruled out the sale of parkland, including land at Electra Reserve, to fund the project.

"Land classified as `surplus to council needs' is generally characterised as house blocks in existing residential zones."