That is the deal being brokered between the Gore District Council and Mataura Youth Centre Trust.
The former town hall has become obsolete since the opening of the new Mataura Community Centre late last year.
This has prompted the council and Mataura Community Board to consider how the facility could still be used by the community.
A recent public meeting gave the community board the mandate to pursue the hall sale.
But council chief executive Steve Parry, in a report to the board's meeting yesterday, said some research needed to be done to make sure the deal could proceed legally.
While he supported the $1 deal, Mr Parry said investigations needed to be done on whether the council was obligated to offer the property back to the former owner, and if the sale is regarded as a significant activity and needs further public consultation.
"None of these issues are insurmountable but do require investigation."
For now, though, he was happy to recommend the $1 deal - a move which will only go ahead if and when the council agrees to the transaction.
