The demolition of one of Wyndham’s nursing homes is beginning as it makes way for a new, multi-million dollar aged-care centre.
Baptcare is redeveloping Synnot Street’s Wyndham Lodge Community in a bid to create more aged-care beds in the municipality.
The $20-million redevelopment will replace the 28-year-old 60-bed nursing home centre with a 150-bed age care facility.
The new home is expected to be completed by February, 2016.
Baptcare aged-care operations general manager Michael Wilson said the project was an investment in Wyndham’s future aged-care requirements.
As reported by Star Weekly, 29 of the nursing home’s residents had to find new homes to make way for the redevelopment. Many families objected to being asked to move their loved ones and raised concerns about their ability to cope with the move.
But 21 residents were able to move to other aged-care homes in Wyndham, while six transferred to Baptcare’s Westhaven Community in Footscray. Two residents scheduled to move were able to stay at Wyndham Lodge.
Baptcare initially tried to buy neighbouring land so no one would have to move.
Mr Wilson said Baptcare remained confident that the redevelopment would not have a significant impact on the remaining residents.
Staff will spend 2014 training and improving their skills before the redeveloped centre’s opening.
