The $30 million rebuild of BaptistCare Caloola, located in Wagga Wagga 450km southwest of Sydney, accepted its first residents in April and already 72 of the home's 80 aged care beds are full. A spokesperson from the Not For Profit told The SOURCE they expect the home will be full by late November 2024.
BaptistCare has operated an aged care home on the site for more than 50 years. In 1973, Baptist Home Trust (as BaptistCare was then known) purchased 2.6ha of farmland at Kooringal on the outskirts of Wagga Wagga. Caloola Court, a 68-bed hostel, was constructed in the late 1970s. The aged care home was built in the mid-1980s.
The rebuilt home today is divided into five households, each with 16 rooms. It's the first home BaptistCare has built in a 'homestyle' model. Each household has its own family room, dining room, kitchen and multiple breakout spaces. There’s also a new café, extensive gardens, walkways and undercover outside areas. For residents living with dementia, the home features direct and secure access to landscaped gardens and outdoor areas.
BaptistCare is also expanding The Grange Retirement Village in Wagga Wagga, with 37 new two-bedroom independent living units, taking the total number to 196, as well as refurbishments and expanding community facilities.
BaptistCare Caloola Builders: Lipman
BaptistCare Caloola Architects: Calderflower