Joe and I attended an information session about the Basscare renovation on Thursday 16th April.
Basscare is a not-for-profit organisation that provides in-home and in-residence care for the elderly. It has community centres /retirement accommodation/Aged Care facilities throughout the suburbs, with several very close to the old Basscare centre. In the old centre community facilities were provided and there was accommodation for 40 aged care residents. As well as the older buildings that were visible, there is a large area of vacant land beside these.
The buildings are going to be demolished with this commencing later in 2026. A large development consisting of 5 four-storey retirement villas, 67 single story residences that will vary in size, and 45 aged care units. The organisation recognises that Canterbury is a prestigious suburb and these new buildings are going to be consistent with the expectations of downsizers in in this area.
The tremendous facilities for residents range from a swimming pool, library, meeting rooms, restaurant and cafe. They will be facilities for non-residents, and these consist of meeting rooms, cafe, use of the pool, gym facilities and a larger space for functions or larger meetings. These also apparently will be quite luxurious. The building is expected to be completed by late 2028.
The minimum age for buying into the residences is 65. It may be that it will be a source of members for our Rotary Club. It is hard to reconcile the new development with the old buildings and Basscare that we know, but if it goes ahead as planned it will be a very desirable place to live.
Jill Woinarski