The original deadline for this work was August 6, and chairman of the centre's establishment board Emeritus Prof Gil Barbezat said the board was pushing up the pace to meet the new deadline.
Progress was being made, although some "administrative bottlenecks" had been slowing the process, and, because the board relied on some vital contributions from other parties, ability to meet the deadline might still be compromised.
The space problem was still a major consideration, with several options being suggested as possible solutions, he said.
It is expected the centre will provide a much-needed second endoscopy room along with space for undergraduates, postgraduates and those involved with teaching and research.
The Southern District Health Board was told at its monthly meeting a relationship agreement had been signed between the Dunedin School of Medicine and the board as the two organisations work on the venture.
The new centre will be designed to allow for an increased number of colonoscopies, in line with national criteria and in anticipation of a possible national colorectal cancer screening programme in the future.
Prof Barbezat said there would be many other issues to settle once the board had a clear vision for the "urgently needed facility".
The establishment board is to provide direction on changes required for an Otago-Southland service; prescribe the facilities needed; define how the centre will be managed and the relationship between the DHB and the university; develop policy, goals and strategies for the centre and its governance; and manage transition to the new board.
