The multi-million dollar re-development of Villa Maria’s Wantirna site is taking shape, with an official celebration this month launching what will be an exciting and modern community hub. 

The July 18 event celebrates the beginning of Stage 1 of the Stud Rd site, to include a 96-bed aged care residence offering low care, high care, extra services and dementia-specific support, as well as a day service (Gateway) for adults with a disability and a rehabilitation centre.

Not-for-profit aged and disability services organisation Villa Maria has partnered with development and construction company Grocon on the $30 million project, which is Stage 1 of a development that will ultimately will blend aged care with community services and independent living accommodation, all focused on active community involvement.

Residents from Knox and surrounds have continued to utilise the Gateway service and the Rehabilitation centre since construction work began in January, with the facilities remaining open until the re-development is complete.

Villa Maria CEO Valerie Lyons said the project would be an asset to the Knox community, enabling a holistic approach to service delivery with quality, modern facilities. 

 “We are excited by the opportunities that lay ahead as we work towards creating this unique community hub,” Ms Lyons said. “Villa Maria is absolutely committed to providing quality services and life enhancing opportunities for older people and children and adults with a disability across Victoria. And this project specifically is a testament to our long-standing and ongoing commitment to people living in the eastern region, who have so much to gain from the redevelopment.”

Ms Lyons said Villa Maria was “very pleased” to be working with Grocon on the project, which Grocon will build at cost, returning any savings made to Villa Maria.

Grocon CEO Daniel Grollo said the company was keen to bring its skills to the table on worthy community projects as part of engaging with the communities in which it works.

“With our experience of building Common Ground for the homeless in Elizabeth Street, we have learnt that not only do we have a lot to offer organisations like Villa Maria, but our staff also gain a lot from being involved in these genuine partnership projects,” Mr Grollo said.

“We are looking forward to providing this great community facility and working closely with Villa Maria.”

Grocon has demolished existing structures and will build a new five storey building including kitchens and back of house space. Landscape, civil and infrastructure works are included within the scope to support the new building.

Construction is expected to be completed on Stage 1 by November 2012.

Joining Villa Maria CEO Valerie Lyons as guest speakers at the launch event will be the Mayor of Knox Cr Sue McMillan, and Grocon’s National Construction Manager, Sean Sweeney.