Koroit Health Services (KHS) Chairman Brian Trotter (pictured) said there had been a lot of criticism of the Board’s decision to close the Koroit Nursing Home.

The 30-bed facility had only 20 residents and was losing money “at a great rate”. It closed in September 2011. But “out of adversity comes opportunity,” said Mr Trotter.

Last week, the KHS board gave $300,000 to help fund a new kindergarten in the town. It came after they had donated almost $460,000 to a charity foundation.

Mr Trotter said that while no one wanted the nursing home to close, the decision to do so has enabled the board to “ensure ongoing support to the community”.

The nursing home site is being repurposed for the kindergarten and the creation of a community health hub. “It’s fulfilling a vision,” said Mr Trotter.