OAMS CEO Jamie Newman officially turned the first sod as staff looked on at the site on Wednesday morning.

"You've all got a section you're going to dig up this afternoon" he joked to the workers.

Instead the construction company, Dice Renascent, is expected to take 20 weeks to complete the $1.2 million project which is due to open by the end of August.

Mr Newman said it would provide tailored activity, exercise and nutrition programs for all clients, not just Indigenous people, of the OAMS.

The centre will target people with disabilities, the frail and aged and those recovering from medical conditions and those with sports injuries.

"I'm hoping that we'll be the envy of the region," he said.

Mr Newman said the facilities would be free to use and OAMS would offer transport to get people to the centre.

It is part of the OAMS' three-stage project, the existing medical facilities in Perc Griffith Way being the first, to provide health facilities.

The remaining stage is a yet-to-be-funded $6 million expansion of the current facility.

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