St Bathans' 116-year-old hall will be repainted as part of a restoration project costing $198,000.
More than $12,000 of plaster has been applied to the hall's mudbrick exterior in preparation for the paint. After that has been finished, the interior toilets will be upgraded, completing the project.
The Department of Conservation (Doc) started restorative work on the hall in April last year, carrying out mostly interior work since then.
Doc Central Otago ranger and project co-ordinator Marion Sutton said painting should take about two weeks, depending on the weather and availability of contractors.
"We hoped to have it finished before winter, but I couldn't guarantee that. The toilet upgrade has been held up a bit with paperwork,'' Ms Sutton said.
After a grand opening, the Crown-owned historic reserve hall will be open for viewing by the public and might accommodate small-scale community events.
The New Zealand Historic Places Trust approved the restorative work, after which the Government provided funding for the project, which was being carried out with help from conservation architect Guy Williams.
The hall was built in the early 1890s.
