The retirement home will spend $3.6 million on upgrading its hostel, once its board approves the plans.

This is part of stage two works of the retirement home’s master plan. Stage one involved works to the entrance and administration offices. 

Eventide Homes chief executive Sue Blakey said the Eventide Homes’ board had prioritised upgrading the hostel.

“We are upgrading the hostel due to the age of it,” she said. “It hasn’t been upgraded for 30 years. Most aged care facilities are updated every 12 to 15 years.”

Mrs Blakey said the upgrade was important to meet the needs of current and future residents. 

“We currently have a 100-bed licence for the hostel, but we want to increase it to 120,” she said. 

Eventide Homes had six people on its waiting list on Tuesday.

Mrs Blakey said the number of people on the waiting list changed regularly. 

“The board wants Stawell people to be able to stay at Eventide,” she said. 

The Eventide Homes’ proposed project summary documents show the facility aims to relocate the two dining rooms in the Urquhart wing. It also wants to move the location for kitchen deliveries. 

Eventide Homes will also spend $400,000 on The Plantation - an area of independent living houses.

These upgrades are part of the stage two works for Eventide Home’s master plan. 

Building will start for this stage once the board has approved the home’s master plan, designed by architect Darragh O’Brien.

The board will discuss options for the plans on August 8 with staff, stakeholders and other interested people.

Mrs Blakely said the retirement home aimed to have the plans completed by the end of September, so building could commence for stage two.

Eventide Homes’ master plan will roll out across four stages, with the aim of bringing the community into the home as well as prioritising staff and residents at the home. 

Mrs Blakely said Eventide Homes would apply for funding for the other stages at the home.

“We have prioritised our wish list,” she said. 

“Whatever we can afford to do we will.”