Mount Gambier's $62.5-million Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre will offer free tours and swimming for a weekend ahead of its official launch.
The City of Mount Gambier manager for town and community growth, Georgina Davison, said the "preview weekend" from December 16 would help limit numbers at the official opening a week later.
"We know how excited everyone is … [we] didn't want to have 10,000 people [come] and have to turn people away," Ms Davison said.
"We thought the best plan would be to do it in an orderly fashion and get people to book to manage those crowds going through the centre at once."
Ms Davison said the booking system for the preview weekend should be available soon.
"People can jump online and book in for a tour or swim, there's going to be lots of activities in front of the plaza to welcome everybody and have organised tours throughout the centre," Ms Davison said.
"I think the opportunity over that first weekend is to actually get in and have a preview and find out about everything."
The finishing touches were being rolled out at the site with furniture brought in as tradespeople work to the two-week deadline.
"It's a state-of-the-art facility that we just can't wait for everyone to see where all this time and effort has gone," Ms Davison said.
"It's so well equipped, there are hearing loops and disability access in all the pools."
Belgravia Leisure have been announced as the ongoing managers of the site with hundreds of memberships already purchased.
Ms Davison said extra swim teachers were being trained to meet the demand for swimming programs.
"The swimming program has been really popular since that's been released," she said.
"It's great that the community has embraced it and is looking forward to seeing it open as much as we are."
Ms Davison said to keep an eye on the council website for the preview weekend booking links.
