Construction is underway on Wishlist Centre, a $14 million residential facility for patients and families in Coast hospitals

The much-needed facility will offer free and low cost accommodation for patients and families receiving treatment at Coast hospitals.

Wishlist CEO Lisa Rowe and Hutchinson Builders chairman Scott Hutchinson were at the sod turning of the new $14 million facility.

Construction is underway on Wishlist’s $14 million Birtinya facility, designed to address the shortage of accommodation for people receiving treatment on the Coast.

Wishlist Centre Stage One will provide an additional 18 suites of affordable, transitionary accommodation and services to support patients and their families needing ongoing treatment at Sunshine Coast University Hospital and the private hospital.

The four level facility will include single, family and interconnecting rooms, a podium level with communal spaces including a kitchen and laundry, and rooms for activities and therapy or other support services.

Wishlist CEO Lisa Rowe said the centre was the start of a new era for the organisation, in terms of the support they can offer to patients and families of Coast hospitals.

A look at the four level, 18 suite facility for patients and families receiving treatment on the Coast.

“Having run Reed House since 2009 we know well the demand is there,” Ms Rowe said.

“There are so many people that travel from outside the Sunshine Coast region, Gympie and beyond, that need somewhere to stay for an extended period, to access cancer treatment, to access surgery … it’s certainly necessary.

“It will be low cost and no cost.

“We do have a range of options to cover the cost for people who cannot afford accommodation, and that is thanks to Rotary Clubs of Nambour and Caloundra Pacific and the Crosby foundations and some other donations we’ve received.”

It was announced Thursday that the nation’s largest privately-owned building company Hutchinson Builders had been awarded the design and construction contract for the facility on Bright Place.

Scott Hutchinson said Hutchinson Builders were proud to be awarded the contract for the Wishlist Centre. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Hutchinson Builders chairman Scott Hutchinson said as a Sunshine Coast builder he was proud to be bringing the centre to life.

“Hutchies is absolutely delighted about this, it’s a wonderful building and it’s a wonderful cause,” Mr Hutchinson said.

The project expects to employ up to 170 different contractors on site and indirectly create about 60 full-time roles.

Lisa Rowe, Andrew Wallace MP, Scott Hutchinson and Wishlist board member Tony Long at the sod turning on Thursday. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The $14 million project also would not have been possible without the help of Fisher MP Andrew Wallace who secured $12 million in funding from the federal government.

“It (Wishlist Centre) was an audacious program but one that I personally was very invested in because of our own family circumstances, we’ve been where many families are and that’s having a sick child in hospital,” Mr Wallace said.

Construction is expected to be finished by mid-2022 with Wishlist currently fundraising for an additional $2 million to ensure that once open, the facility is all it must be for patients and families.

Originally published as Construction is underway on Wishlist Centre, a $14 million residential facility for patients and families in Coast hospitals