The gifting of an historic courthouse to Carterton District Council is set to make the town's upcoming Events Centre bigger than ever.
Carterton St John, the owners of the Holloway St building, agreed to gift the building to the council at their last committee meeting.
The transfer will go ahead after negotiationsabout usage and signage are completed.
St John secretary Catherine Brazendale wrote to the council last month confirming the decision, but with some conditions.
"In return we hope to be able to use the buildings rent free until the end of the year for our monthly committee meetings and as a place for our cadets and penguins to meet.
"At the end of the year we intend to review our needs, however, it seems probable to us that the youth groups will use the youth centre for their meetings."
The donation has been rumoured for some time, with talk the transfer would take place sooner rather than later.
Ms Brazendale said St John hopes to retain use of the building's garage space for storage and the St John events vehicle, while also allowing members of the Masonic Lodge to use it.
Council chief executive Colin Wright said he expects councillors to vote to accept the building at a council meeting on Wednesday.
"The big question then will be what to do with it and where to get the money to pay for it," Mr Wright said.
He said the building needs extensive refurbishment - for which there is no budget - but could be brought in as part of the new Events Centre.
He said while the building is owned by St John, the land it is on belongs to the council.
A sub-committee of three to four councillors will be formed to consider the options for the new building.
