The Clutha Community Hub Charitable Trust released initial concept plans for a 3000sqm replacement for the town's 71-year-old War Memorial Hall earlier this month, to include ''co-working'' office space, meeting rooms, the Clutha District Council offices, an i-Site and a theatre.
A rebuild at an estimated cost of $20 million was favoured over a cheaper refurbishment, for reasons of ''financial sustainability'', trust chairman Dale Anderson said at the time.
However, some residents remain in favour of a ''community-led'' refurbishment, arguing the current cost will place an undue burden on ratepayers.
Balclutha pensioner Bruce Graham, who has been vocal about low income rates affordability in the past, said the original hall had been built in part by returned servicemen, in a spirit of community goodwill.
''I can see this adding further to already unaffordable rates for pensioners and others on low incomes. Instead of dreaming up vanity projects to justify their inflated salaries, why don't councillors lead by example, take up a hammer and get their hands dirty like those who built the current hall?
''There's just no need to start from scratch when all it needs is some maintenance and freshening up.''
Balclutha businesswoman and Clutha Women in Business Group convener Sara Sutherland said although the current hall was ''adequate'', a new facility could help spur the community forward.
''We use the hall for our Women in Business Expo each year and it's OK. But I'm aware it has limited community use, so a new facility with things like a theatre would be great to encourage new users, and to give people another reason to come and live in the area.
"As a district we need to future-proof ourselves. To do that, progress has to occur.''
Due to earthquake strengthening requirements, any refurbishment would start with a bottom line of $5 million, Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said.
The choice for the district was between ''stagnation'' and realising a ''vibrant'' future.
''We were faced with a $5 million bill just to meet earthquake requirements ... at the end of [the building's] expected life. The hall group has determined the best value for money and future costings is to start afresh, and I agree it would be foolhardy to spend many millions of dollars on a short-term fix that fails to address the present deficiencies and lack of use.''
The proposals reflected the hopes and desires of ''young ratepayers'', he said.
''The real cost is to do nothing. [We need] to change to ensure a more vibrant district that has the ability to attract and grow.''
Council chief executive Steve Hill said precise costs and means of paying for the project were yet to be determined, and would undergo public consultation next year.
Typically, the council funded projects to 50% of the total cost.
Under present guidelines, any ratepayer burden would be divided equally district-wide and on the Lower Clutha Community Facilities rate.
''Future ratepayers also contribute because [longer-term projects] are generally loan-funded,'' he said.
Ratepayer affordability was key.
''The aim is to provide a facility that can operate into the future with minimal impact on the district.''
A 2022 opening date is planned.
