BALLARAT Community Health’s new $13.6 million headquarters at Lucas has been completed.
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BCH project manager Jim Rodgers said the building will be officially launched on Wednesday, July 23, with a community fair on Sunday, August 3.
Mr Rodgers said BCH could now expand to provide Ballarat with the best possible healthcare services.
“The project has run to schedule and to budget, and BCH staff are now settling into their new workspace,” Mr Rodgers said.
BCH Lucas will include a general practice and multi-functional consultation rooms for podiatry and sexual health clinics, exercise and fitness, dietetics, chronic disease management and a community health nurse.
Mental health, counselling, youth, health promotion and alcohol and drug treatment services will also be available, as well as continuing at the current Sebastopol and Wendouree sites.
The building also features quiet spaces, consultation rooms, a range of public areas, a gym, conference and meeting rooms, a cafe, commercial kitchen and kitchen garden, and office facilities for more than 100 staff.
Architectural firm Design Inc designed the building using sustainable materials, while solar heating and water tanks have also been installed. All rooms have access to natural light and the stairs can act as seating for theatre or community events.
The facility was built by Ballarat’s Nicholson Construction.
Director Richard Nicholson said 95 per cent of the project used local trade suppliers and workers.
The development was jointly funded by $2 million from Ballarat Community Health and $11.6 million through the federal government’s Health & Hospitals Infrastructure Fund.
BCH outreach services will still be maintained at Ballarat East, Sebastopol, Cooinda (Wendouree) and Smythesdale.
The current Sturt Street headquarters site will be sold.
fiona.henderson@fairfaxmedia.com.au