The Mosgiel Memorial RSA's $1.2 million redevelopment is nearing completion and the ''total transformation'' has already sparked positive comment from the Mosgiel community, vice-president Tony Mobbs says.
The work had been done on time and on budget by main contractor Cook Brothers Construction and ''the final product is just amazing'', Mr Mobbs said.
Several subcontractors had also been involved, and many community volunteers had pitched in, including some people with little involvement with the RSA, he said.
He congratulated everyone who had contributed to the redevelopment and was ''so proud of what they've actually achieved''.
One recent visitor who had not previously seen any of the redevelopment had been impressed and ''hardly recognised the place''.
''Our members are bringing their friends and they're joining up,'' Mr Mobbs said.
Visitors could now see what was there and ''they want to be part of it''.
Structural work had been finished by the end of last month.
Much of the remaining overall work would be finished by Anzac Day, on Saturday, he said.
Some further detailed finishing work would be completed before a formal opening at the end of May, RSA organisers said.
Mr Mobbs said the redevelopment aimed to make the club a lively community hub and to put ''more focus on the community''.
Anyone could join the club and the previous ''beer barn'' look was gone, replaced by a much brighter, more modern and livelier cafe-style approach.
The kitchen area had been extensively revamped and the organisation had also recently taken over food management from the previous contractor.
Food and drink operations were adding to the club's income, he said.
High-quality cafe-style food was already available, and the first hot meal would be provided from the redeveloped kitchen for lunch on Anzac Day.
The hot lunches would continue until the formal opening and then a full meal service would be available from the redeveloped kitchen.
Everything at the club had been revamped, and the toilet area was now ''lovely'', with fully accessible toilets added.
One key talking point was a lively mural behind the bar, painted by Dunedin artist and designer Jon Thom, and portraying Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apiata as a serving soldier, in full battledress.
The artist is preparing several other large works for the redevelopment.
Mr Mobbs said arrangements for the storage and display of the RSA's extensive war memorabilia collection and library had also been greatly improved.
Entranceways had been improved and the internal layout had been revamped.
Several attractive spaces were now available for community hire for meetings and functions.
Organisers said historical displays on show for Anzac Day would include a focus on World War 1 and Gallipoli, as well as historical photographs of the Taieri area.
• People taking part in the Mosgiel RSA club's Anzac Day commemoration will gather at the club at 9am, and leave about 9.15am for the Mosgiel Cenotaph, off Gordon Rd, before returning to the club for another service later in the morning.
Anzac Services
BRIGHTON Parade, Brighton Domain, 10am; Service Brighton Hall, 10.15amMOSGIEL Parade, leaving Mosgiel RSA 9.15am, Service RSA clubrooms, 10am.
OUTRAM Parade, community centre to the Soldiers' Memorial, 11.15am.
MIDDLEMARCH Parade and service at the Middlemarch War Memorial, 11.15am.
TAIERI MOUTH Taieri Beach cemetery, 9am.
GREEN ISLAND Parade, 10am, Civic Hall. Service at St Peter Chanel, 10.30am. Wreath-laying at Green Island Memorial Gardens, 11.15am.
