A Gosnells aged care facility was given the green light by council this week to go ahead with its plans to build a new clubhouse and administration building on its Dorothy Street site.
Amaroo Village Chief Executive David Fenwick unveiled plans to The Examiner in May this year, which included an estimated $8 million clubhouse to be built where the beloved Winifred Jones Cottage currently sits.
The new clubhouse would feature Dot’s Cafe, a commercial kitchen, residents’ lounge, internal dining for 124 people, external dining and barbecue station, an arts and craft room, library, salon and an activities centre all at pedestrian level with administration facilities and a street front to Dorothy Street also incorporated in the design.
Mr Fenwick said the modern and contemporary-designed clubhouse was long overdue for the residents at the village.
“Current facilities and our officers are past their use by date and residents both current and future deserve better, as do administration staff,” he said.
The application submitted to the city includes the subdivision and amalgamation of existing lots, the demolition of Winifred Jones Cottage and existing village residences, construction of a two-storey clubhouse and administration facility, revegetation of the site and the installation of 45 new car parking bays.
Councillors at Tuesday night’s council meeting voted unanimously in support of the recommendation to approve the application with demolition of the cottage to begin later this year.
Amaroo Village manager of property and assets Rob Spencer said the residents were very keen to see the new building go ahead as quickly as possible.
“We have removed the original floorboards from the cottage for storage following demolition,” he said.
“The Heritage Committee at council also wanted us to share some of the features of the cottage with the Gosnells Community Men’s Shed so we are working with them for the removal and restoration of certain elements.”
Mr Spencer said the new administration centre would allow various operational and management parts of the business to come together under one roof while the new clubhouse would be an amenity for the more independent residents in the village.
“This will provide a social and supportive environment where they can maintain and foster independence as well as great friendships and fun times,” he said.
“It will become the hub of the village green with the ability to also provide restaurant style meals service for residents.”
