About 100 people attended the "tea dance" celebration, which included demonstrations from local groups and representatives of the hall trust’s four main foundation organisations — Otago Darts Association, Dunedin Rock ‘n’ Roll Club, Age Concern Otago, and South Dunedin Dance Club.
South Dunedin Hall Trust board member and life member Eddie Girdler said it was good to bring the vibrant community surrounding the hall together to celebrate its successful history.
"This hall is very well used by groups from across the South Dunedin community, and it was great to be able to celebrate that," Mr Girdler said.
The South Dunedin Community Hall was built as a joint project by the four foundation organisations, after they approached the Dunedin City Council about taking over the site of a dilapidated council hall in King Edward St.
After the council demolished the hall, the four organisations each put in funds, and gathered grants from major funders, including Otago Community Trust and Lotteries, to build a new hall on the site.
The South Dunedin Community Hall was completed and opened in February, 1999.
Mr Girdler said the hall had a sprung floor, on rubber pads, which made it ideal for dance groups, and provided a warm and pleasant space for a broad range of organisations to hold regular events, tournaments and gatherings.
Most recently, the Otago Darts Association used the hall to host evening darts events for the fun Twilight 400 event during this month’s New Zealand Masters Games.
The four foundation groups maintained good working relationships, with representatives on the board, and shared the use of the space amicably. The hall was also available for hire and its central location in King Edward St, and proximity to a bus stop and local facilities made it accessible.
"It is a very busy place — there is nearly always someone in here using the hall," Mr Girdler said.
"Personally, I feel that the hall is a good example of a council and community partnership that has really paid off."
For his efforts in getting the hall built, Mr Girdler was honoured by having the main space of the hall named the "Eddie Girdler Lounge", and another space was named the "Margery Kitchen Lounge" after another hall stalwart.
Now in his 80s, Mr Girdler is keen to "train up" some new people to help take the South Dunedin Community Hall Trust into the future.
"It would be great to involve some new people who have the time and energy to help keep the hall running successfully," he said.
