Works began about four months ago and the organisation has been tight-lipped about their plans for the high profile site overlooking Lake Pertobe.

On Tuesday Warrnambool RSL president John Miles revealed the redevelopment would include a new bistro with seating for 300 people, a library to display RSL memorabilia, a new entry, gaming area, commercial kitchen and toilets.

The ground level will house a dedicated veteran support centre, a meeting room and offices for administration and veterans’ affairs staff.

Mr Miles said the renovation was in response to growing membership numbers and a need for more space.

The RSL has a membership base of 2700 and Mr Miles said the new bistro would enable them to cater for weddings and other functions. 

The room has partitions to allow it to be divided into one or two function rooms and a separate bistro.

“We couldn’t grow anymore,” Mr Miles said. “Our membership is going up all the time and we just couldn’t grow anymore with what we had, so we decided about six years ago we’d start looking at it and it’s come to fruition now,” he said. 

Bolden Constructions directors Ian Bolden and Lee Dufty are managing the redevelopment and worked closely with Warrnambool RSL committee members during the planning stages.  

“The building was fairly old,” Mr Bolden said. “It was done in two stages. Not much has been done for a long time and it’s like hotels or anything, the use-by date comes up and they have to renovate.

“We poured the main slab about a week ago so we’re able to get on it. The steel and the wall frames are going up. We’re hoping by Christmas we may have some of it roofed,” he said.

A temporary kitchen was installed at the premises and it’s business as usual. “We’re building around the RSL which is still operating,” Mr Bolden said.

The works are due to be completed in time for Anzac Day commemorations.