Otago Pioneer Women’s Memorial Association Inc president Irene Mosley said it was felt more was needed than just a building study.
"We needed to look at our purpose, needs we could fill and just what does a 21st-century pioneering woman need," she said.
The building study has been completed by Logic Group and the organisation has sourced funding for a hall custodian for six months to look more carefully at the future.
The heritage-listed building, at 362 Moray Pl, has been identified as earthquake prone, and will need a lot of work to bring it up to the new standards.
Taking on the custodian role is University of Otago neuroscience graduate Monica Hamilton, who is on hand at the hall for 30 hours per week.
Miss Hamilton’s role also includes taking bookings, cataloguing everything in the building, and looking at the history of the organisation.
"Reading back through the old documents and meeting minutes has been a real eye-opener — the determination of the association women to overcome a lot of challenges to establish this hall was very impressive," she said.
Members of the association are being encouraged to hold events at the venue, and also to have their say on the future of the historic hall.
"I have been working on contacting all of the women in the association for their thoughts," Miss Hamilton said.
"It would also be good to have the input of the wider community into the future of this lovely old building."
The hall was a good space and was well used, with bookings up more than 50% on last year, she said.
It has hosted Dunedin Fringe Festival events and will also host sessions in the Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival.
Miss Hamilton is organising an "open week" at the Otago Pioneer Women’s Hall, from Tuesday to Friday next week.
Visitors can drop in between 10am and 4pm to look around and share their thoughts on what can be done with the hall.
There will also be an evening session on Friday, April 30, from 5pm to 7.30pm.
"It’s all about gathering as much community feedback as possible," Miss Hamilton said.
Ms Mosley said it was exciting to see the hall open and busy.
"The committee are determined to ensure that any decision about the future of the building is made with the community in mind."
