The West Otago Community Centre committee is proposing to combine the town’s neighbouring, but earthquake-prone, library with the centre.
Artist’s impressions for the proposed new joint facility show it modernised into a "vibrant hub with strong street appeal".
The community centre has been undergoing a significant phased refurbishment during the past four years, expected to cost about $2 million when completed.
Committee chairman Robert Kane said the project was about two-thirds complete, the centre’s theatre, and main hall-gymnasium and squash courts having been upgraded.
The final phase, of about $1m, involved replacing the roof structure and membrane over the centre’s social room, kitchen, and service areas.
During discussions with library owner the Clutha District Council, that had evolved into a bigger project addressing the need for a new library/service centre.
"We’re about two-thirds of the way through our upgrade of the complex and have just made public a proposal to integrate the library within the centre, working with council.
"This is a very exciting project and comes at just the right time when we would be upgrading this part of the building anyway," he said.
In 2017, assessment showed the library, on Suffolk St, had a new building standard (NBS) rating of just 10%. A building assessed at less than 34% NBS is categorised as earthquake-prone.
A council spokeswoman said integrating a new library within the final phase of the centre upgrades would save money, and secure its long-term future.
"A lot of time and money has already been spent, and this is the final phase to secure the long-term future of the building and this incredible facility in West Otago. A shared facility is the best spend of public money and offers improved services."
Alexandra firm Breen Construction had been selected from a shortlist to produce a fully designed, engineered, and priced project to present to the council for consultation during its 2026-27 annual plan.
Council funding would be supported by community fundraising, grant funding, and the West Otago Community Board.
Mr Kane said fresh volunteers were also required to drive the project forward successfully.
"The centre is used almost every night for activities, as well as for major events and as a back-up to our hospital and for Civil Defence."
