Work on the Weston Community Hall is costing about $380,000 and is due to be completed next month.
The Glenavy Hall is having about $100,000 spent on it, although a lot of work is being done by volunteers which is not counted in the end cost.
The expansion and upgrading of the halls is to meet growth in their communities, including increasing rolls at the schools which use the complexes.
Weston Progress League member Gary Kircher said the plans had been under way for about nine years.
"We just reached the stage where we had to do the project."
The work is being funded with $205,000 from the Lotteries Grant Board, $80,000 from the Community Trust of Otago and hall and local reserves, along with some fundraising and assistance by volunteers.
It includes upgrading the existing hall and building a new extension with a commercial kitchen, supper-meeting room, modern toilet facilities and a new entrance and foyer from the car park.
Mr Kircher said the Weston School, which had a growing roll, used the hall and demand from within the community was increasing.
The possibility of Holcim New Zealand building a cement plant, along with irrigation in the surrounding area, would also boost employment.
The Glenavy community faced a similar scenario, with its school roll doubling in the past five years, the possibility of a new milk processing factory and the ongoing development of dairying leading to more employment.
Glenavy community hall committee member Andrew McFarlane said increasing demand for the hall along with the expectation of better facilities had led to the project.
"The community required more modern facilities and more space, particularly storage," he saidThe Waimate District Council had provided $50,000, Transpower and Meridian Energy had also assisted, and the money was being made to go a long way with four to six volunteers a day assisting builder Rob Wilkins Building.
About 40 volunteers were on a roster to help and the community was providing morning and afternoon teas.
The 200sq m extension will double the existing area of the hall, provide a meeting room linked to the main building by a sliding door, and a large storage area.
The hall would also be redecorated.
Work is expected to be finished by next month, with decorating to start when temperatures are warmer.
