The ceremony celebrated the efforts of the present committee, who had spent the past five years working on upgrading the facility, but those gathered also remembered the hard work put in by residents for nearly 50 years since the idea of a community centre was conceived.
More than $500,000 was spent modernising the complex, with a new kitchen, conference centre, foyer and entranceway.
About 100 people gathered outside to take part in what committee chairman John Cochrane called a historic and special day for the town.
His committee was formed almost five years ago and it was greatly satisfying to be able to hold the official opening ceremony at last, he said. He also paid tribute to previous committees, who had looked after the hall and community centre over more than four decades.
‘‘You gave us something to build on and what we have here is a very important community asset.''
What started out as a plan to upgrade the old kitchen had developed into a full renovation, he said.
‘‘But the effort it has taken to get us here epitomises the strength of rural communities like ours here in Clinton.''
Clutha-Southland MP Bill English noted the original centre was also opened by the MP of the day.
Back in August 1964, the Clutha MP, the late J.B. Gordon, officiated and now, 44 years later, Mr English was honoured to be asked to take part in what he described as a tribute to the passion and commitment of a small community like Clinton.
