Official Opening of Pacific Lodge Aged Care Plus Centre

After two years of construction the redeveloped Pacific Lodge Aged Care Plus Centre in Collaroy was officially opened on Thursday 12 April 2018, a centre that was previously located in Dee Why.

Officiated by The Salvation Army's National Commander, Commissioner Floyd Tidd, the ceremony was attended by key community and industry members, such as Mackellar MP Mr Jason Falinkski, Councillor Sue Heins from the Northern Beaches Council, Mark Rummans the Acting Director Aged Care Regulation and Risk and the Domain Director of Aged Care Places Management from the Department of Health, as well as Salvation Army and Aged Care Plus executives and local staff.

Acting Chief Executive Officer for Aged Care Plus, Carel Bothma, said the redevelopment of Pacific Lodge Aged Care Plus Centre is a tangible example of Aged Care Plus' continued commitment to providing quality services to residents.

"Pacific Lodge Aged Care Plus Centre is a modern 50 bed resident and family focused Centre that will offer holistic care and specialised support, such as mental health services. We are deeply committed to lovingly transition our current residents to a place where they can feel as much as home in as they have in Dee Why," Carel said.

Carel also acknowledged the generous donations by the Lyn Storey Foundation and the Pamela Gatland Estate, which have brought the redevelopment to a reality.

"You may notice that we have named the Ground Floor Lyn Storey House, and the First Floor Gatland House, which is in honour of our two major donors. There is also a beautiful sensory garden for our residents, which was made possible by a more recent additional donation from the Lyn Storey Foundation. I'd like to express our immense appreciation for their incredible contributions, and the ongoing support of each of the representatives."

Executive Manager of Capital Projects and Property Management, Steven Ball, recognised the enormous work and love that has been invested into bringing the vision of the new Pacific Lodge Aged Care Plus Centre to fruition.

"Over 200,000 hours of work has gone into this redevelopment. Today, we are opening a brand new state of the art Centre. Each of the 50 private rooms offer modern en suites, desks and televisions. In addition, the new Centre includes free-flowing communal areas, such as sun rooms, lounge rooms and television rooms, as well as a spacious and tranquil sensory garden for residents to enjoy," Steven said.

Over the next thirty years, the number of people over the age of 85 living in Australia will grow to more than 1.6 million. The redevelopment of Pacific Lodge Aged Care Plus is part of our comprehensive property plan in place to meet the increasing need for aged care, and this redevelopment is part of our commitment to expand our care services to older Australians.

Featured Image, from left to right: Steven Ball (Aged Care Plus Executive Manager of Capital Projects and Property Management), Major Steven O'Neill (Aged Care Plus Mission, Pastoral & Personnel Director), The Salvation Army's National Commander, Commissioner Floyd Tidd, Jeff Davey (The Salvation Army Group Executive of Mission Enterprises), Carel Bothma (Acting Aged Care Plus Chief Executive Officer), Mackellar MP Mr Jason Falinkski.