The community has been locked out of the hall in Allambee Place since it closed to the public in late 2007.

The Valentine Community Service Organisation, formerly the Valentine Progress Association, has been planning an upgrade to the hall for community use.

Swansea state MP Garry Edwards secured an $18,000 NSW Community Building Partnership Grant for the project in March 2013.

But the money lay idle until the community service organisation submitted a development application to Lake Macquarie council last April, approved in September.

Valentine Community Service Organisation acting president Pat Noonan said once the plans were approved by council then things started to move.

"But until then we couldn't do anything. We were just waiting it out."

Work started on December 15.

The outside public toilets were the first to go.

It was a condition of development consent that the toilets be demolished and replaced with amenities inside the hall.

The project also includes the instalment of a disabled access ramp, an electrical and security upgrade and a fresh paint job.

Ms Noonan said it was an exciting time for the members of the community service organisation.

"We're keen to get it up and going," she said.

The refurbishment is expected to finish around June, at which point the hall will reopen for rental through the organisation.