The Queenstown Lakes District Council has temporarily reduced the capacity of the Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall, from 500 people to 300, based on an earthquake inspection, but does not need to close the building.
The hall was built in 1870, with significant alternations in 1991.
The council has been assessing all public buildings, which led to the recent upgrade of the Wanaka Pool.
Under the Building Act the capacity of a building has an influence on its earthquake rating.
Based on the latest assessment the hall would be considered earthquake prone with its existing capacity of 500, council chief executive Adam Feeley said in a statement yesterday.
A reduction in capacity was a precaution and meant the building did not hit the ''prone'' threshold.
Further assessment and design work would be done to determine how to address the capacity issue.
''We view this as a precautionary approach, but one with which we are more than happy to comply until we understand the implications of strengthening works.''
