The $45.8M facility being built to replace the Cromwell Memorial Hall is months away from completion, but it remains unnamed as Central Otago District Council kicks off something of a community brainstorming session to rectify that.

The council has been clear the consultation - short, sharp and over in two weeks - is open to anyone across the district with an idea, not just Cromwell residents.

At a council meeting last week, elected members signed off on the consultation process, which comes with a $3000 pricetag.

Staff told the meeting the topic of choosing a name had been brought to council displays at A and P shows in the district in recent weeks but hadn’t proved to be much of a conversation starter.

In a statement opening the consultation, mayor Tamah Alley said the naming was an important milestone for the project.

“We know this site means a great deal to many people, and we deeply respect the heritage of the former Cromwell Memorial Hall that stood here for so many years,” Tamah said.

“This new building is an exciting next chapter that’s designed to be more than just a hall, and its name should reflect everything it will represent for our community.”

It has already been decided the facility will have dual names: a gifted te reo Māori name and an English name.

It is the English name the council is consulting on.

The Cromwell cenotaph at its new resting spot outside the yet-to-be named Cromwell events facility. Image: The Central App

The local Returned Services Association is on the record as having a preference for the word “memorial” to be included in the name, and a group of Cromwell residents is behind the ‘Retain the name Cromwell Memorial’ Facebook group set up in support.

While a report presented at Wednesday’s meeting acknowledged any name including "memorial" carried "historical weight", it suggested a title reflecting the facility's "modern, multi-use function" was “worth considering”.

“The venue is intended to serve not just Cromwell but the wider Central Otago region. A name that acknowledges its regional significance, shared funding, and anticipated broad usage should be discussed,” the report said.

Feedback from the consultation will be brought to the Cromwell Community Board’s meeting in early April, then the board’s feedback and recommendations on a name will be brought to a full meeting of the council at the end of April - the deadline for a final decision.

Deputy mayor and Vincent councillor Tracy Paterson, speaking at Wednesday’s council meeting, said councillors needed to go into the naming process with an open mind.

“There’ll be no pre-determination,” she said.

Name signage is expected to be installed ahead of the official opening in July.

The building itself spans approximately 3000m2 and includes an auditorium, cinema, café, meeting rooms, museum, and a dedicated area for the RSA.

In front of the building is a memorial space where the cenotaph was relocated to in early February and this year's ANZAC Day service is scheduled to be held.

Keen to have your say?

A survey can be completed online, with hard copies available at council service centres and libraries.

Drop-in sessions:

• Tuesday, March 3, 11.30am-1.30pm, Cromwell Library
• Tuesday, March 3, 5.30pm-7pm, Cromwell Town and Country Club
• Sunday, March 8, 10am-12pm, Cromwell Market
• Wednesday, March 11, 11.30am-1.30pm, Alexandra Library

Read more: Seat sponsorship floated to fund $200k lighting upgrade and RSA pushes for ‘memorial’ ahead of name consultation