Work on a new medical centre in Twizel is expected to begin early next year, after a suitable site for the building was identified.
The town's medical centre is based in a converted residential house, and is too small to deal with the 1600 patients enrolled at the Twizel Medical Practice.
High Country Health chairman Simon Williamson said now the Twizel Golf Club had offered the use of land to build a new medical centre, there would be ''pegs in the ground'' by January, next year.
The land is leased off the Mackenzie District Council, but Mr Williamson said the council had agreed in principle to charge the medical centre a ''peppercorn'' rental for its use.
The land is located alongside Mackenzie Dr, close to both St John and the local volunteer fire brigade premises, as well as a helicopter landing pad, he said.
The local community had already raised $40,000 to help fund the centre.
Mr Williamson said another $600,000 was needed to complete the project but he was confident the new centre could be operating in two years.
''Things are going well. We have just finalised the site plans and the building plans, and the council have agreed to back us, so it's going good.''
He said the golf club's offer of land had been ''very generous''.
Council chief executive Wayne Barnett said he would enter into negotiations with the High Country Medical Trust and put an agreement to the council for approval.
