The Mernda Social Support Centre is near completion with the care facility reaching a major construction milestone.
The centre will be for people who experience memory loss, limited mobility and are aged over 65 to access respite day support and help with social isolation.
The $2.7 million project, jointly funded by the City of Whittlesea and the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, saw progression in July, with the building’s steel frame and roof built.
The facility, located next to Mernda Village, will include three activity rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, outdoor area, consulting and quiet rooms and a unisex public toilet.
The project includes a Changing Place facility, which provides people with high support needs and carers with a safe accessible toilet and change space.
City of Whittlesea administrator Peita Duncan said the centre would be run by council in conjunction with partners and service providers, offering respite closer to residents.
“The Mernda Village Social Support Centre, expected to be complete by early 2023, will make a difference to the day-to-day lives of our city’s older residents and provide carers with crucial respite,” she said.
“There has not been a service like this available in our region, which means people have had to travel to access day respite.”
To accommodate residents, the centre also features an environmentally sustainable design, solar panels, and a water tank to re-use rainwater.
It is expected to open in late 2022 or early 2023.
For further information visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/mernda-ssc.
