Beyond Bank provides significant grant for Community Centre

The centre is part of a new retirement lifestyle village, which will accommodate 32 independent living units. The community centre will serve as a hub for people operating in the aged care and disability sector, providing a range of services including “emotional and social” support for older people, their families and their carers.

It is also set to include a hairdressing salon, kitchen, cafeteria, training rooms, library, lounge room and outdoor entertainment areas, as well as rehabilitation facilities to assist older people or those living with a disability.

David Nichol, Chairman of Beyond Bank Foundation, says aged care is something his team is very passionate about.

“We need to keep our elderly people happy, comfortable and self-efficient for as long as we can…I want to make sure when it’s my turn that there are facilities for ongoing support,” he says.

“Community is on our DNA and we are always looking to support our community partners who are doing great work in their local areas.

“Whyalla Aged Care is a trusted frontline provider of a critical service and we jumped at the chance to support this fantastic initiative which will really help people make the right decisions about what is best suited to them and their families.”

The community centre will be housed on Donaldson Terrace in Whyalla, the site of a former Beyond Bank branch.

The grant comes after Whyalla Aged Care received $3 million in funding from the Federal Government back in May to help construct the lifestyle village and community centre.

Whyalla Aged Care Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Juanita Walker says both grants have been necessary to get the project past planning and into development.

“We have been planning the development of a retirement village for many years, but financially we haven’t been able to achieve that. This gives us funding to fast-track that development,” she says.

“Whyalla Aged Care appreciates all of the ongoing support that Beyond Bank provides to the organisation and we look forward to continuing our partnership for many more years to come.”

The lifestyle village is estimated to cost up to $10 million and will be completed over two and a half years. The community centre is set to open next month, with a grand opening to be announced soon.