Work will commence this month on the $27m redevelopment of aged care home BaptistCare Caloola Centre in Wagga Wagga, with completion expected in early 2023.
In attendance to help turn the first sod was 86-year old Caloola resident, Louis de Kort, alongside Wagga Wagga City Council Mayor, Councillor Greg Conkey, and the teams from BaptistCare and Lipman builders. (pictured)
Designed to provide the best residential care now and into the future, the new Caloola Centre will provide a homelike care environment, allowing residents to participate in community activities at their own pace. The modern and purpose-built environment will also provide ongoing employment for care, administrative and hospitality staff across the centre.
“It is always a great sign to see development taking place in the city which continues to grow as a major regional centre in NSW,” Cr Conkey said.
“There are many benefits to the local economy but most importantly this redevelopment will provide more options for our elderly population.”
“This facility has a long history of more than 40 years in Wagga Wagga so it is fantastic to see it being earmarked for a significant upgrade which is a great show of commitment from the owners in Wagga Wagga and the wider region. Congratulations on the project and the investment back into the facility and also the city,” he said.
BaptistCare has appointed Lipman as the builder for the redevelopment, which will feature 80 contemporary single resident rooms with private bathrooms. The home will be divided into 5 households of 16 rooms, with each household having its own family room, dining room, kitchen and multiple breakout spaces.
A new café will provide a shared space for residents, families and visitors to connect, and the home has been designed to meet new stringent infection control benchmarks.
“Transforming aged care is as much about the focus on resident care and wellbeing as it is around how a physical building can make someone feel comfortable and at home,” said BaptistCare CEO, Charles Moore.
BaptistCare has a number of other projects in various stages of completion in Canberra, Carlingford (Sydney), Alstonville on the north coast of NSW and has plans to redevelop its George Forbes Home in Queanbeyan near Canberra.
