The first sod was officially turned yesterday, with members of the committee and community there to watch and reflect on the efforts required to reach the milestone.
On completion, the building will house St John, Community Police, GPs and Plunket.
Simultaneously, the Kingston fire brigade building will be extended, creating an additional bay for a fire engine which the existing building does not have the space to house.
A $228,000 grant from the Community Trust of Southland was the saving grace for the $345,000 project, with the balance coming from grants from several parties, including the Queenstown Lakes District Council, St John, the fire brigade and the Kingston Community Association.
Committee treasurer and secretary Margaret Gibson said Kingston resident David Giles had also raised $10,000 on his own, by making jam and selling it to residents and visitors to the town, which had a resident population of about 220.
Kingston Community Association chairman Peter Gibson paid tribute to building committee chairman John Jones.
"We can't believe we're here.
"Without his perseverance and guidance it would have been nigh on impossible - we did pull the pin on it [at one point].
"There was a lack of direction and leadership until John took the [job]."
Project manager Dan Egerton, of Lakes Property Services, said earthworks would begin at the site today and the building consent should be approved by Lakes Environmental within the next fortnight.
The complex would be built by Kiwi Span and it would be finished in about two months, Mr Egerton said.
