Turning the first sod at Opal HealthCare's new Croydon Grove Care Community

Opal HealthCare hosted an official sod turn ceremony attended by Maroondah City Council Deputy Mayor Paul MacDonald to mark the start of construction of the new build of Croydon Grove Care Community, reaffirming Opal HealthCare’s commitment to the local community.

We have supported older people and their families in the region with high quality residential aged care since 2021, when Croydon Grove Care Community joined the Opal HealthCare family. In partnership with retirement living provider, Aveo, we are enabling older people to continue to live locally through all the stages of ageing, by offering high quality residential aged care co-located within the Mingarra Retirement Living community.

With this $57 million investment in the Maroondah community, we are building a purpose-designed building and state-of-the-art amenities, underpinned by our purpose of bringing joy to those we care for. When the project is complete, the existing Care Community will be decommissioned and residents will move into the new building.

Jerome Jordan, Regional General Manager Victoria at Opal HealthCare, spoke of the importance of investing in the local community.

“We’re looking forward to serving the community for many years to come. That’s why we’re developing a new Care Community that incorporates smart design for the environment and for people living with unique and individual care needs,” said Jerome.

Nestled amongst pine trees and with views over Croydon and to the Dandenong Ranges, our new Care Community will offer 121 bedrooms with ensuites, over four levels, and seven companion rooms for couples. Our Care Community will feature beautiful resident kitchens, a central social hub with café, a Wellness Centre to support reablement and restorative care, and outdoor balconies or terraces in most bedrooms.

It includes a memory care neighbourhood to support people living with dementia, using the latest dementia care design principles, memory supports, activated spaces and sensory gardens.

Through our close relationship with the Mingarra Retirement Village we will continue to encourage social connections between residents, and support continuity of care for older people in the Croydon and Maroondah community.

Deputy Mayor of the City of Maroondah, Paul MacDonald turned the first sod. He said the Council is pleased that Opal HealthCare is responding to the current and future need for quality aged care in the region.

“As we know, all areas of health – including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social - is vital to all older people. The design and amenities of the new Croydon Grove Care Community will go a long way towards helping residents to live their best life.”

The new building is expected to be complete in late 2025 with residents moving in shortly afterwards.

Pictured L-R: Paul MacDonald, Deputy Mayor, Maroondah City Council; Mark Lederer, Senior Development Manager, Opal HealthCare; Chris Blackman, General Manager, Croydon Grove Care Community; Jerome Jordan, Regional General Manager Victoria, Opal HealthCare.