''It's been a mission, but we're good now,'' vice-president Tony Mobbs said yesterday.
While many RSAs were struggling, Mosgiel RSA believed its community approach would see it surviving.
Club manager Peter Moore said the aim of the work was to turn the RSA into ''the place to go'' in Mosgiel for functions, fundraisers, meetings, conferences and training days.
Activities offered at the club, including bowls, darts, line dancing, Pilates and exercise classes, would continue.
''It's for everybody to make use of. It's not just a place for old men to go to drink.''
The club had 1100 members, including many younger people. Work would begin on October15 when contractor Cook Brothers started earthquake strengthening and structural changes.
The RSA would stay open throughout the work.
''It's business as usual, with a few restraints.''
One of the hiccups was discovering the building needed earthquake strengthening.
Funding had to cover the cost of that work.
''We'd have liked to raise the floor in the dining room to a nice even surface but it's a cost we can't afford,'' Mr Mobbs said.
''We'll be refurbishing furniture instead of buying new - that sort of thing.''
Part of the building was constructed in 1964, with the bar area added in 1971 and another extension in the late 1970s.
The most recent ''face-lift'' was about six years ago.
The redevelopment included a new entranceway, toilets, bar layout and contemporary cafe bar and restaurant area, as well as the new World War 1 library, which the club hoped would attract school groups.
Its offices would be moved upstairs, with new storage for war memorabilia. Displays in the library would be refreshed regularly.
The work, paid for through fundraising and grants from the Lottery Grants Board, the Otago Community Trust and the Alexander McMillan Trust, would be done in four stages.
It was hoped work would be finished in four or five months.
