Some have already made the decision to demolish the old and build the new. Others are seeking the views of the community and weighing up financial implications.
Consent is being sought to demolish the Lakeside Soldiers' Memorial Hall in the small farming district beside Lake Ellesmere, not far from Leeston, and planning has begun for a replacement building.
The hall was opened on August 3, 1917. It was built at a cost of 699 as a memorial to all Lakeside residents who served in World War 1.
The current chair of the hall committee, Dennis Carter said it was obvious there would be a shortfall in funding to build a modern hall which would meet more stringent standards.
''New halls will have new costs,'' he said.
''Fire regulations and a warrant of fitness will mean inspections every three months and could be a cost of $2000 a year. The kitchen will have to be up to commercial standards.
''It's a sad thing but no way will rents be at the same rates as before.''
The district had been canvassed for views on a hall at Lakeside and there had been strong support, Mr Carter said.
Draft plans were being considered but no decisions had yet been made.
Selwyn District Council property co-ordinator Karen Bartlett said costs and funding options were being considered.
She also provided updates on other halls throughout the district.
A decision to replace the Greenpark Memorial Hall on the memorial park opposite the original building had been made, she said.
It would be close to tennis courts and sports fields.
The original hall was also built as a memorial to those who served in World War 1 and was built in 1922. It was demolished last year.
Hall committee chair Terry Lassen said of the 20% of people who returned their survey form, most were in favour of rebuilding. Many were concerned the district would lose its identity when the school closed and if there was no hall.
A functional building, incorporating the needs of the tennis club, a meeting room and kitchen was needed, he said, with a hall suitable for 21sts, weddings and other functions.
Designs will now be prepared.
Mr Lassen said funding available may need to be ''topped up'' but there were places the committee could apply to.
The committee also has plans to plant a row of native trees in the memorial park in the autumn and have prepared the ground.
''In time it will be a lovely place for picnics,'' Mr Lassen said.
Also gone is the Doyleston Memorial Hall which stood in the main street of the small settlement just north of Leeston.
Again, those who served in the World War 1 were honoured on a memorial tablet unveiled by Sir Heaton Rhodes on February 16, 1930.
It a bid to preserve some of the history, there are plans for a memorial on the site. A budget of $74,000 has been allocated, Ms Bartlett said and a choice of two designs will be sent out to the community this week for comment.
In the west of the district a feasibility study and needs analysis is under way in Hororata.
The area was devastated in the September 2010, 7.1 magnitude earthquake. The village lost its three main meeting spaces, the St John's Anglican stone church, the community hall and the Hororata Pub and many historic homes were severely damaged or destroyed.
Decisions would need to be made on whether to spend perhaps $400,000 to $500,000 to strengthen and repair the hall or to build a new facility in the domain, Ms Bartlett said.
At West Melton a bigger building was needed, she said, but this was due to the growth in the area and not because of earthquake damage. The area is the site of major new subdivisions.
The Dunsandel Hall has also been demolished.
- Maureen Bishop.