Cranford Hospice has taken to the community in a series of public meetings to discuss its potential move to Chesterhope Station.
The Cranford Hospice Foundation, Cranford Hospice Trust and the Hawke's Bay District Health Board together announced in May that they had commissioned a business case regarding future-proofing the specialist palliative care facility, which was currently based on Knight St in Hastings.
Chesterhope Station was the preferred location and last night Cranford Hospice CEO Janice Byford-Jones and Cranford Hospice Foundation chairman John Buck addressed an audience of 16 about the suggested location and the reasons behind the potential move.
Ms Byford-Jones said they were early in the journey but this location at Pakowhai could open up a range of opportunities for their hospice service.
"We would make it fit for the community and it could provide once in a lifetime opportunities with the potential to offer a day unit or some sort of education while keeping palliative care as the main focus."
Mr Buck said there was so much potential for them here and the only limiting factor was their imagination and financial barriers.
When asked how much they needed to raise Mr Buck said about $14 million, however it was still in the early days and finances were still being looked at.
"We want this to be a real community project and we have to get the community buy in before we take it any further."
Napier Labour MP Stuart Nash said after being taken around the location he couldn't imagine a better site for a hospice in New Zealand.
"Imagine the ideal site and double it. The sound of the birds, the 110-year-old trees, the lake, it is truly magical."
The site became available after a "generous offer" of land and buildings by the Joan Fernie Charitable Trust, which owns the station.
At the meeting people were asked to fill out a feedback form, which members of the hospice would look at over before making any further decisions.
The next meeting is being held tonight at Hastings Focal Point Cinema meeting Room at 5pm.