The project, which has been in the pipeline for about five years, involves expanding the five-building hostel block for male pupils having new bedrooms and a bigger common room.
Female pupils, who board on a site next to the North Otago Netball Centre opposite the Taward St school, will join male boarders on the same block, but in separate buildings, from 2020.
St Kevin’s College hostel manager Justin Fowler said the project, funded by former school owners the Christian Brothers, was on schedule.
"The project overall has gone very smoothly which is one of the benefits of partnering with local firms and project managers.
"We are on target to complete all of the work before the start of the new school year and are excited to commence with student numbers at near capacity and a waiting list for some year groups."
Meanwhile, long-term options are being considered for the future use of the soon-to-be former hostel building next to the netball centre.
"In the short term, the Taward St hostel will continue to be used to provide accommodation options for locals, visiting sports teams and cultural groups and internal student visitors.
"It is a great facility for this and it is located in a prime spot being so close to the hockey turf, netball courts, rugby, touch and cricket fields, as well as our own fantastic school facilities.
"In the long term, the St Kevin’s College Foundation is looking at some development options for the site which are all pretty exciting."
In June, he told the Otago Daily Times the school was considering renting the space out more regularly, as it did during school holidays, which was a "big part of the hostel business".
A historic red-brick building on the school’s grounds will undergo minor work, including fire protection, and will house female year 13 boarders from 2021.
There are about 80 boarders at the school.
