Christmas came early for the trust behind a new community facility in Arrowtown, when the Lotteries Grants Board last week approved a $400,000 grant, turning a nearly 10-year dream into reality.
Arrowtown Community Sports Facility Trust chairman Murray Bennett said the grant takes the total raised to about $1.8 million and "within cooee'' of the total cost of $2.05 million.
That meant the trust could push on with construction drawings and apply for consent for the new building, which would be used by a variety of sports and community groups in the village, including the Arrowtown Rugby Club.
Its former clubroom, originally part of the former Arrowtown Camping Ground, was demolished earlier this year, leaving the premier team without a base for the 2016 season.
Club president Simon Spark said a planned upgrade of Jack Reid Park - to include levelling the rugby field, which would be moved slightly; new floodlights, drainage and irrigation; a new car park; and new roading access - was contingent on the remainder of the funding being secured.
There were still some funding agencies the trust could apply to and Mr Bennett said he was "more than confident'' those applications would be successful.
However, the focus was on the building.
Mr Spark, who has been involved in the project since its inception, said having the funding for the building secured was "great''.
"It's been an unbelievably drawn-out process, but we're pretty determined people. We're stoked.
"It's been a long, hard road, but we've got something the community can be proud of ... it's a pretty happy day.
"The funders have recognised that it's needed and it's truly a community facility that the town will benefit from.''
Regardless of whether the work on the rugby field went ahead next year, the Arrowtown rugby team's home base would shift to the Queenstown Events Centre oval, before it moves back to Jack Reid Park for the 2017 season.
"This is home,'' Mr Spark said.
Mr Bennett said subject to trust approval and building consent, construction could begin by April and be finished by December.
By the time the building was complete and "we move in'', it will have been 10 years since investigations first began into the project.
"It's exciting for Simon - it's Simon's pet project, I just came along for the ride.
"It's been a long road for him and for everyone else involved but we're there ... or we're there within cooee.
"Like a good wine, it takes time. And then it goes all vinegary. [But] it won't go vinegary now. We've got it.''
