The State Government has contributed $2.5m, Moorabool Shire Council has allocated $1m, and user groups Darley football netball junior and senior clubs and Darley Cricket Club will provide $250,000 for the community and sports centre.

Darley Football Netball Club president Mark Shelly said it was a great outcome for the whole community.

"It's been a long time coming."

Shelly said it was an asset the whole Darley community needed and would benefit from.

He said with funding confirmed, the project would now enter a six-month planning phase.

Shelly said construction was expected to take about a year.

He said it was yet to be determined exactly what form the centre would take.

Options include being an addition to the existing change and social rooms - similar to the multiple purpose facility at Lake Wendouree's home ground at CE Brown Reserve in Ballarat - or a stand alone building like Melton's new development at MacPherson Park.

Shelly said the centre would provide the level of inclusive sporting facilities for males and females now demanded by the community, with three multi-purpose community spaces and female-friendly changerooms.

In a separate project, the Darley Park netball courts are being upgraded.

Shelly said the club had secured a Bendigo Bank community grant would enable Plexiplave surfaces to be laid.

He said was another important project to ensure the club had the best possible facilities.