BRAEMAR LODGE in Bicton will double in size under plans being prepared by Braemar Presbyterian Care.

The 56-bed lodge on Point Walter Road is well past its prime and BPC is planning to demolish it and build a new facility with accommodation for 60 residents who still live independently and 60 high-care residents. It will also have respite, palliative and specialised dementia care.

BPC is holding an open day at the mothballed site on Saturday, November 4 from 10am to 2pm to let locals have a look at early concept plans.

• Braemar Lodge is ready for the wrecker’s ball. Photos by Steve Grant

Braemar’s chief executive Wayne Belcher says the new digs will be high-quality aged care and retirement living that will last for decades.

“Our plans at our Bicton facility demonstrate our strong commitment to provide high-quality aged care and retirement living for the local community,” Mr Belcher said.

“The community open day will allow people from Bicton and surrounding suburbs to have a look at our early concept plans and let us know what they think.”

• A trailer full of residents’ walkers.

They will feature an onsite cafe which will be open to the community and residents, shared interior courtyards, and exercise and wellness areas.

The Chook was keen to get a look at the plans to see whether the giant peppermint and other mature trees in the Lodge’s front garden would survive the make-over, but were told artists’ images weren’t ready yet.

Bicton (and Melville generally) has a high proportion of elderly people, but many are unable to access aged care locally, and with predictions that by 2026 one in five residents will be over 65, the squeeze is likely to get tighter.

by STEVE GRANT