The Ministry of Education has approved a budget to build a new performing arts centre at Taieri College.
Staff at the school had been awaiting an outcome since the former 49-year-old Hislop Hall was severely damaged by an electrical fire in November last year.
Taieri College principal David Hunter said the ministry had not confirmed how much funding would be in the budget.
``We don't know a lot yet, but we do know that a budget to build a new facility has been approved.
``They don't say how much is in the budget. What they tend to do is put it out to procurement and let the market have a say.
``The next stage is to go to detailed plans. We've already got a concept and we'll change that concept into some detailed drawings.
``Then we'll see how much it's going to cost and see if it's going to match the budget.''
Once those details had been finalised, the school would have a better idea about when construction would start.
Mr Hunter hoped it would happen sometime in 2017.
``Good things come to those who wait.
``We're relieved that it's been approved, but it still doesn't change our frustration that we've had to wait this long.
``It has been a long period of time, and I think the ministry would agree as well.''
He said the wait had been exaggerated somewhat, because for the year before Hislop Hall was destroyed, the school had converted it to an office and library, while a new $4.1million library, administration and teaching block was being constructed.
``So technically we haven't had a hall for quite a while.
``Our musicians and actors are very keen to get something to perform in,'' he said.
