REDEVELOPMENT of Challenger Lodge into a multi-storey residential aged care facility was secured after Baptistcare Incorporated was chosen for the contract at the City of Rockingham’s last council meeting for 2017.
Plans to redevelop the site, the Challenger Precinct, were first announced in October 2017.
It attracted widespread interest from aged care providers, builders and architectural firms.
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READ NOWRockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said 67 organisations sought information about it.
By the end of the expression of interest period, five submissions were lodged.
“The City is delighted to appoint Baptistcare as the successful redeveloper and aged care provider for the Challenger Precinct site,” he said.
“Their submission was outstanding. They share the City’s vision of a contemporary, age-in-place facility where residents can access onsite service delivery.”
Baptistcare chief executive Russell Bricknell said the precinct offered a unique opportunity for innovative aged care solutions.
“We are thrilled to continue our 25-year relationship with the local community and plan a new era of accommodation and services,” he said.
“Our philosophy of putting people first and delivering not-for-profit care and support designed specifically for individuals is very much in line with the City of Rockingham’s vision for the Challenger Precinct Redevelopment.”
Baptistcare ranked first with a score of 95 out of 100, while RAAFA (WA) and Southern Cross Care ranked highly.
Opal Specialist Aged Care and Amaroo Village & Thomas Building (Joint Venture Agreement) also sent submissions.
Cr Sammels said the number of seniors in Rockingham was likely to almost double during the next 20 years.
“It’s vital that we start implementing a plan now to meet the accommodation and care needs of this growing segment of our population,” he said.
“One of the main considerations of this project is that the rights and interests of the Challenger Court facility residents are protected not only under the law, but also ethically and morally.”
The redevelopment is to be done in four stages although stage four depends on the release of the Crown Land, currently subject to a Native Title claim.
Work is expected to start onsite in about 12 months.
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