The renovations at Kelvindell Lodge in Kelvington are now into stage 2.

Last week the Kelsey Trail Health Region said the kitchen staff at the long term care centre are preparing to merge with staff at the Hospital.

The kitchen in Kelvindell Lodge will officially close on Friday of this week, that will allow the current staff to relocate to the Hospital and begin preparing food in that facility.

"For residents of Kelvindell Lodge, the most noticeable difference will be that their meals will be prepared off-site and transported to them multiple times each day over the next six months," KTHR CEO Shane Merriman stated in a news release. "Though we expect there may be a few bumps in the process initially, we are confident that our Food & Nutrition Services staff will capably make this transition and that all of our long term care residents will continue to enjoy the same quality meals and food services they have come to expect while in our care," he continued.

This is expected to take about six months, upon completion the entire food services staff will move back into the Lodge kitchen and all food will be served from that building.

"We are very excited to be moving into this next phase of the renovation and construction process," Merriman continued. "Within the next six weeks we will see the acute, emergency room, primary health care clinic, support services and community health services staff and equipment moved from the current Kelvington Hospital into the new Kelvington & Area Hospital building and all of these services will be provided from the new building."

The provincial government contributed $12 million toward the project, which represents 80 per cent of total project costs. The Kelsey Trail Health Region and community funded the rest.