ARARAT - Ararat's environmentally sustainable designed aged care facility, 70 Lowe Street, was officially opened on Friday.
The building, which has been occupied since mid last year, was opened by Member for Ripon Joe Helper, who joined East Grampians Health Service staff, Department of Human Services representatives and Ararat community members to mark the occasion.
"I'm thrilled to be here today with the hardworking staff of the East Grampians Health Service, DHS representatives and community members to mark the official opening of Ararat's new $7.69 million aged care facility," Mr Helper said.
"This magnificent new 45 bed high-care facility, to be known as 70 Lowe Street, replaces the former John Pickford House, which had served the Ararat community well since 1986.
"The new facility will provide resident-focused, high quality, environmentally friendly aged care.
"More than just a home, it will have a positive impact on this residents' lifestyle, choice, privacy, dignity and self-esteem.
"The opening marks the culmination of a fantastic community effort to renew and redevelop Ararat's health infrastructure.
"On behalf of the Brumby Government I congratulate and thank the Ararat community and in particular the East Grampians Health Service for their efforts."
East Grampians Health Service Board president Graeme Foster said it was a really exciting time for the health service and over the next few years further development was planned.
Mr Foster said the service was delighted that 70 Lowe Street had come in on time and on budget.
Currently a 45 bed facility, the health service plans in the future to extend the building.
"The building will be able to be extended in the future as the design team has designed it in such a way that another wing to the east can be built, which will provide another 15 beds so that we will be ready for our ageing population," Mr Foster said.
"In the future we will continue to monitor the need the community has for additional places."
Along with its spacious bedrooms, ensuites and bright, airy communal living and dining space, many passive solar and environmentally sustainable principals have gone into its construction.
Mr Helper said these include extensive use of natural light and ventilation, solar heating and cooling and energy efficient building systems.
"Add to this a striking view to the east of Mount Langi Ghiran and you have a setting that is both homely and environmentally sustainable," he said.
The building is oriented to maximise a passive solar design and the residents' bedroom wings are designed in a manner which adjoins a central communal and staff base area. The orientation of the wings allows a large proportion of the bedrooms and communal spaces to benefit from direct sunlight and therefore solar warmth. Outdoor gardens are sheltered from cold winds from the south west.
Mr Helper said a unique feature of the new facility was its active rainwater harvest system built to satisfy residents' needs for some 40 days.
"The system consist of three rainwater tanks able to store a total of 135,000 litres," he said.
"This will comfort residents and staff clearly conscious of the need to conserve every drop."
The redevelopment has ensured that 70 Lowe Street complies with Commonwealth aged care certification standards.
Email a friend
Favourites
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
StumbleUpon
MySpace
Reddit
Newsvine
LinkedIn
Kwoff
Twitter