Balclutha's Presbyterian parish will soon have a new hall which will feature the latest computer technology.
The $700,000 project began late last year with the demolition of the old hall next to St Andrew's Church.
Work has started on the new facility, which will include a hall, meeting room and conferencing areas.
The parish minister, the Rev Brian Walker, said the new building in George St would "wrap around" the existing church building.
The main feature would be a multipurpose hall which should prove ideal for large crowds gathering for weddings and funerals.
The former hall was small.
Data-projection connec-tions would mean a funeral director could house overflowing crowds in the hall when the church was full and provide a direct visual and audio link to the main service next door.
These facilities would also allow conferences and other large-scale events to be held there, he said.
The single-level building had been in the planning for more than two years and Mr Walker said it was a good idea to incorporate new technology into the new building.
Meeting rooms, toilets and the new headquarters for the South Otago Foodbank would also be incorporated.
Mr Walker said it was an exciting project, which was fully funded by the parish and external grants.
He hoped the new facility would be open by the middle of the year when the parish hosts a rural ministry conference.
