The future of Dannevirke's historic Carnegie Centre, home to Tararua Community Youth Services (TCYS), remains in limbo.
Terry Hynes, a board member for TCYS, has met a representative of Internal Affairs to discuss the options.
"The building has been identified as an earthquake risk and TCYS need to look at alternative accommodation, within the five-year time frame given for earthquake-prone buildings," he said.
"Internal Affairs have advised TCYS to carry out a feasibility study for alternative premises, as well as the cost of earthquake-strengthening the Carnegie Centre."
Tararua Community Youth Services has served the young people of the district since August 1998 and the Carnegie building is used as its operational centre.
"It's regarded by our young people as their home," Jeanne O'Brien, manager of youth development at TCYS, said.
Earlier the Tararua District Council estimated it would cost up to $280,000 to bring the building up to code.
Mr Hynes said Internal Affairs will fund the feasibility study for alternate accommodation and two thirds of the cost of upgrading the Carnegie Centre.
The latest estimate of the cost is $250,000 to $300,000 to earthquake-strengthen the building, with refurbishment costs extra.
Richard Taylor, the council's governance manager, said the Carnegie Centre was provided to TCYS at a low, or no-rental, cost, for which the organisation was very grateful.