Extension works on a Youngtown aged care facility are underway and set to not only boost residential capacity on the site, but also inject $7 million to the local economy.
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Southern Cross Care last week began initial work on their Glenara Lifestyle Village extension after engaging with local architectural firm 6ty° and contractors Groves Construction.
The project will include the building of 20 new dwellings along an extension of Foote Court at the Glenara Lakes site, growing the 91 existing dwellings to 111.
Up 35 jobs will be provided during construction.
To be rolled out in three stages, the first stage will see the road and infrastructure works carried out – to get the large machinery off-site early – and eight of the 20 new dwellings built.
Stage two will see another eight residences built, with the remaining four slated for stage three.
The first stage is expected to be complete by January 2019.
Richard Tyberek, Southern Cross Care’s executive manager for corporate services and retirement villages, said of the 20 new homes, 19 had already been sold.
The catalyst for the development, said Mr Tyberek, was their extensive and growing waiting list.
When Southern Cross Care undertook a review and contacted people on their waiting list last year, 40 people came back with interest in the extension.
Mr Tyberek said that response was overwhelming.
“We said ‘you’ve been on the waiting list, if we had a unit available today would you be willing to take it at a particular price’.”
“The overwhelming response was yes.”
With demand like that, Southern Cross Care are certainly not looking to stop anytime soon either.
“We can actually do more,” Mr Tyberek said.
“But it’s a question of funding and it’s a question of also trying to balance the number of people - the number of dwellings - relative to the facilities we offer.”
Chester Bullock, director and structural engineer with 6ty°, said the two companies have worked together on the site since day one.
“This was a paddock with a couple of houses on it, with sheep back in ‘99.
“And we’ve worked here ever since.”
Current residents Beth and Greg Chapman said they were excited for new neighbours to join the community.
Southern Cross Care plan to have all the new villas finished and occupied by mid 2019.
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Matt Dennien
Matt Dennien is a journalist at The Examiner, based in Launceston. Contact him via email at matt.dennien@examiner.com.au, or more securely via Signal on +61 437 672 994.
Matt Dennien is a journalist at The Examiner, based in Launceston. Contact him via email at matt.dennien@examiner.com.au, or more securely via Signal on +61 437 672 994.
