Caloola Care set for $17 million renovation

A residential aged care facility is set for a $17 million overhaul which will include the demolition of the old site to make way for a state-of-the-art building and impressive features.

A Wagga aged care home may soon receive a multi-million dollar upgrade. Picture: Ethos Urban

A Wagga aged care facility could soon receive a $17 million upgrade.

Baptist Care has submitted a development application to Wagga Council, which would see their residential aged care facility located on Plumpton and Red Hill Road known as Caloola Care receive a complete redevelopment.

BaptistCare general manager Allan Waters said the current building was over 30 years old and was due for an upgrade.

“Future-proofing of the home is needed to ensure the best model of care is provided, with enhanced accommodation and services for our residents, staff and the wider community we serve,” Mr Waters said.

“BaptistCare has a long history in the Wagga community and we’re excited about the future of our Caloola Centre,” he said.

The home would include extensive landscaping upgrades. Picture – Ethos Urban Pty Ltd.

The redevelopment would see the centre grow in capacity from a 70-bed facility to an 80-bed facility and would include a hairdresser, cafe and new parking area including a roundabout.

If approved, the current building would be completely demolished and a new building, consisting of three wings connected via a central corridor and hub would be constructed.

“Since it was built, the design of residential aged care facilities has undergone significant change and improvements, not only in medical research and advances for care of the elderly, but also changed community and market expectations for the quality of aged care in Australia,” stated the development application.

“Therefore, BaptistCare intend to invest into the Wagga Wagga site to develop a new purpose-built residential aged care facility that aims to meet and exceed modern standards of care and quality of life for the Wagga Wagga community,” stated the document.

If approved, around 86 trees would have to be removed from the site to make room for new landscaped areas.

The value of the trees however were deemed of low value in the development report with the 49 trees which would be retained deemed of high value.

Artist impression of the upgrade. Picture: Ethos Urban

The new landscaped areas include a grassed paddock on the corner of Red Hill Road and Plumpton Road, a dementia courtyard which is a secure and screened area for memory impaired residents, a walking circuit, circuit paths and an outdoor feature nook with bench seating aimed at providing a space for passive outdoor recreation.

If approved the facility would begin construction late 2021 with the application outlining plans to keep current residents at the site while the new facility is built.

BaptistCare is a not-for-profit organisation that has served the aged and people living with disadvantage for over 70 years, supporting thousands of people across NSW and the ACT through more than 160 facilities and programs.

BaptistCare employees more than 4000 staff, with a further 1000 volunteers.