Location

Latrobe City has generously assisted Centenary House by acquiring a two hectare site on Valley Drive, Traralgon, on the Northern Boundary of the Latrobe Regional Hospital. This is being leased to Gippsland Rotary Centenary House for 25 years at a peppercorn rental

This site is within easy walking distance of the hospital and the new Cancer Care Centre. It offers Centenary House both convenience for residents and is large enough for a landscaped garden setting and future expansion.

Building

Centenary House is a single story facility. The design was based on experience from Ronald McDonald House, Clayton. Centenary House comprises:

· Four large en suite units with double bed, sofa bed and room for temporary fold-out beds, with northerly and landscaped garden aspect..

Two self-contained units with cooking and eating facilities, with northerly and landscaped garden aspect. .
Communal kitchen with at least two work stations. .
Communal dining and lounge facilities.
Secure children's playground and recreation room adjacent to lounge.
Reception and administration office.
Resident volunteer en suite bedroom unit.
Tranquil courtyard with seating and water feature.
Tea making, library and casual lounge areas adjacent the bedrooms.
Quiet Room' for family privacy and counselling.
Off-street parking
Closed circuit TV security system for after hour's access.

The children's playground and outdoor living/BBQ area can only be accessed from within the building and will be visible to supervising adults from the community dining room.

Cost Estimate.

A professionally prepared estimate for the project indicated that the building would cost around $1.2 million, with fitout, parking, landscaping, etc adding another $800,000 taking the total cost to above $2 million.

This capital cost has been minimised by the generous support of professional and trades people and Rotary members who offered their services free of cost or at greatly subsidised prices.

Construction

Construction work on the main building by Lemchems and Skulke Pty Ltd of Maffra has been completed.
Businesses within Gippsland provided building materials and services at or below cost to be built into the new building.
Community members and Rotarians have also been giving their time freely to this project.
Central Gippsland TAFE Horticultural College has carried out the landscaping design and preparation through a Community Partnership and Rotary District 9820 has donated plants for the surrounds.