nursing care for the elderly with its $2.2 million new wing.

And the new Extended Care Facility -- which is expected to be completed by the end of February -- will cater to senior citizens like no other facility can, said chairman of the Building Committee Don Jolliffe.

"There is a great demand and need for this kind of facility,'' he added.

"Many homes, such as Packwood, are already full and there are 50 people waiting to be admitted to the hospital.'' "This new addition will solve the problem of the lack of residential nursing facilities,'' he pointed out. "Like many other homes, Westmeath does not provide extended nursing care. When someone is unfit and requires further attention they have to move out. That is until this new addition is completed.'' Mr. Jolliffe said the new edition -- under the direction of architect Ted Wood -- will substantially improve the existing facility.

Westmeath now has 29 rooms, but the renovations will enable it to accommodate more than 60 residents.

All of the 36 new bedrooms will be installed with remote controlled air-conditioners. Jacuzzi baths and wheelchair showers will also be outfitted on each floor.

The new addition -- which has yet to be officially named -- will also include a dining room and a large lounge.

"There will even be a small beauty salon where they can go and get their hair and all that done,'' Mr. Jolliffe said.

An elevator will be installed to save residents from struggling up and down steep stairways and ramps, he added.

"There will be a nursing station on each floor to provide them (residents) with 24-hour care and supervision,'' Mr. Jolliffe noted. "Each room will be equipped with a call button that is connected directly to a nursing station.'' Funding for the new wing has come primarily from Roderick Ferguson Sr., one of Westmeath's founders, who has donated more than $500,000 to the project.