The centrepiece of Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & Vic) Inc’s Oakfield Rise Retirement Estate in Mount Barker, completed in June 2022, has won a state-wide development award at the recent Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) SA Awards for Excellence.
In announcing the Oakfield Rise Community Centre as the recipient of the Seniors Living Award, UDIA SA Chief Executive Officer Liam Golding praised the design of the facility, which offers an array of flexible spaces including a Health & Wellness Centre with gymnasium and treatment rooms, library, games room, lounge and dining areas, café and alfresco spaces.
“The effort Southern Cross Care has put into design in order to engage residents is commendable,” Golding said.
“This will encourage residents to be active and support them to stay connected through social activities – an incredibly important factor in maintaining health and well-being as we age.”
The community centre’s facilities were designed to strengthen residents’ social, physical and cognitive abilities through interaction.
Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & Vic) Inc was commended by the judges for both involving residents in the design process as well as using local materials to “achieve a clever and contextually appropriate solution with stylish and flexible spaces that demonstrate the value of extensive consultation with residents”.
The UDIA SA Seniors Living Award was sponsored by real estate firm Taarnby.
Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & Vic) Inc CEO David Moran said he was proud the centre was recognised for its healthy ageing and community connection focus.
“Our organisation’s ‘Better for life’ vision for older people to improve their physical and mental health was fundamental to the overall outcome of this centre,” Moran said.
“We acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our project partners and staff, who worked tirelessly to bring the vision of this centre into reality, for the benefit of our Oakfield Rise Retirement Estate residents and the local community.”
UDIA CEO Golding said the developments, projects and people that were nominated for the 2023 Awards were “exceptional and made for a competitive field”.
“The calibre of entries in the UDIA’s Awards for Excellence never fails to impress and this year is no exception.”
Stages 5 and 6 of the Oakfield Rise Retirement Estate are under development. For more information about this community, visit Southern Cross Care’s Oakfield Rise page.
