Work is about to commence on a major $10 million extension and renovation at Uniting AgeWell’s Latrobe Community, Strathdevon.
The aged care residence will be expanded from 37 beds to 67 beds, while the existing building will receive a modern face lift using environmentally sustainable design principles. The renovation includes a new community café, chapel, resident activity areas, gym, hair salon and a state-of-the-art ‘cook fresh’ kitchen.
Six rooms have also been designed to meet the needs of the indigenous community, following consultation with indigenous groups.
Uniting AgeWell held an official sod-turning ceremony on Wednesday, 31 January, with several dignitaries attending the ceremony, including Senator for Tasmania The Hon Anne Urquhart, Member for Braddon Roger Jaensch and Mayor of Latrobe Council Cr Peter Freshney along with Uniting AgeWell Board Chair Allan Thompson, Incoming Board Chair Raelene Thompson, and management and staff of Uniting AgeWell.
Andrew Kinnersly, Uniting AgeWell CEO, said the upgrade of Strathdevon demonstrated the organisation’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality care to older people in Tasmania’s North West coast.
“This major upgrade to the Strathdevon Community means more people will have the option to remain in their local community and maintain social connections as they move into residential aged care,” he said.
“It also builds on our expanding home and community support services in the North-West, including the Transition Care Community Packages introduced last year.
“This growth in our services also represents increased employment opportunities, which is great news for the local community.”
In his last official duty as retiring Board Chair, Allan Thompson said as a northern Tasmanian he was excited to be breaking new ground at Strathdevon and helping to shape the future for the people of Latrobe and Tasmania’s North-West coast.
Uniting AgeWell’s reason for being is to create caring communities where every older person feels welcome – irrespective of their cultural, religious, financial or social background – and supported in the ways that matter to them.
“As a Uniting Church organisation our focus is on enhancing service delivery rather than increasing shareholder wealth. We reinvest any surpluses into improved facilities and services,” he said.
“This $10 million investment in infrastructure at Strathdevon is a strong reflection of Uniting AgeWell’s intent.”
The Uniting AgeWell Latrobe Community, Strathdevon extension and renovation is due for completion in early 2019.
Pictured above L-R: Uniting AgeWell CEO Andrew Kinnersly, Mayor of Latrobe Council Cr Peter Freshney, Uniting AgeWell Board Chair Allan Thompson, Vos Construction CEO Kurt Jones, Senator for Tasmania The Hon Anne Urquart and Member for Braddon Roger Jaensch.