Construction work to create a new front entry and administration area at the Lilliane Brady Village (LBV) will soon commence.
Cobar Shire Council last month awarded the LBV building tender worth $881,605 to the Dubbo-based LMJR Building Group P/L.
The LMJR Group are currently working on another project for Council at the Great Cobar Museum and will turn their focus to the LBV when they are finished the museum project.
Cobar Shire Council’s director of corporate and community services, Kylie Smith said the planned work at LBV will create a new front entry and administration area for the retirement home.
“The works include essentially a new ramp for the front of the village, a ramp with the appropriate gradient,” Ms Smith said.
She said the new ramp will make access to the facility easier for residents and visitors with mobility issues and will also give improved access for ambulance staff needing to bring in stretchers.
Ms Smith said a reconfiguration of the administration offices and a nurses station will also be carried out as part of the planned upgrade.
Public Works will be managing the project for Council with work expected to commence mid to late August.
Ms Smith said the work should be completed within 14 weeks.
She said unavoidably there will be some interruptions for residents, staff and visitors.
“We’re focusing on mitigating the impact as much as we can because it is a residential facility and people are living there.
“There’s a limit to the amount and the scale of the work we can undertake,” Ms Smith explained.
During the construction phase, all deliveries, ambulance access, and visitors to the facility will need to enter through the southern door adjacent to the undercover parking area.
This entry is currently only used by staff.
A new temporary reception area is to be created at the southern entrance.
“It’s going to be a difficult time for all of the residents and staff, but we’re really hoping it’ll be worthwhile in the long run,” Ms Smith said.
She said some changes had been made to the original design for the entrances, administration and nurses station area following consultation and engagement with staff, residents and their families.
Ms Smith said Council had taken on board their feedback and have modified the plans to try and meet everyone’s needs.
She said the aim was to brighten up the entrance and make it accessible for all and to also make the administration area more workable and user-friendly.
“Hopefully we get a really good result,” she said.
