Cromwell residents waiting for the local memorial hall to be revamped can breathe a sigh of relief.
The Cromwell Community Board met on Wednesday to discuss amended floor plans for the $3 million hall redevelopment project.
Last month, the board discussed the floor plans, but decided further work was needed and delayed the next stage of development.
This week, board chairman Neil Gillespie said the board had decided to adopt a changed plan, meaning the detailed design stage could proceed.
The board noted the community had asked for a ''community hall fit for future use''.
The detailed design would include a design for the ''technical infrastructure'' such as lighting, projectors and screens.
A report prepared for the board by the Central Otago District Council's property and facilities officer Evelyn Bisset warned if the project was delayed any further costs would continue to rise.
She said maintenance would have to be carried out regardless of delays to bring the building up to compliance levels for requirements such as fire safety, emergency lighting, and access and facilities for people with disabilities.
The council had earmarked the $3 million in the draft long term plan for the hall, $1.5 million to come from fundraising and the remainder to be funded by future land sales.
Mr Gillespie said residents would be happy with the decision to move forward.
''We have a plan and a commitment to funding.''
Upgrading the hall had been delayed over the years due to lack of funding, which was ''always going to be a big issue'', he said. Construction on the hall is expected to start early next year.
Cromwell Memorial Hall
• Built to honour those who served in two world wars
• Opened early 1960s
• Hall redevelopment has been discussed for more than 14 years
• $3 million revamp announced in 2009
• Cromwell Community Board approves new plans this week
• Detailed design can now start
• Construction to begin early next year
